Etymologically
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circumvolvo

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [kɪr.kʊmˈwɔɫ.woː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [t͡ʃir.kumˈvɔl.vo][1]

Forms

circumvolvō (present infinitive circumvolvere, perfect active circumvolvī, supine circumvolūtum); third conjugation[1]

Etymology

It is from circum- “around” and volvō “to roll”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Vitruvius, of making something revolve.[2] Köbler dates Vitruvius c. 84–c. 25 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant to make revolve, and in the passive to revolve round, as in Vitruvius; in Pliny the Elder it meant to twine or coil round.[2] Lewis & Short note it is used only reflexively or in the middle voice.[5]

It gave English circumvolve in the 1640s, “to turn or cause to roll”, and Portuguese circunvolver.[3][1]

Timeline

  • c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius uses it.[2][4]
  • 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder uses it of twining.[2][4]
  • 1640s – English circumvolve is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To make revolve, (passive) to revolve round.[2]
  2. To twine round.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press