circum Latin · revision 8439

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=grc κρίκος}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈkɪr.kũː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈt͡ʃir.kum]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''circum''' (not comparable)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the old accusative of [[circus]] “ring”, used as an adverb, “in a ring”.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan takes ⟨circus⟩ to be probably a loan from [[grc|κρίκος|tr=kríkos|t=ring]], also ⟨κίρκος⟩, of uncertain origin, and Ernout and Meillet's idea of a partial reduplication of the root of [[curvus]] he calls speculative.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan's first source is Plautus, whom Köbler dates c. 250–184 BC.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) The OLD's earliest citations are from Pacuvius for the adverb and Cato and Ennius for the preposition.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As an adverb it meant round about, in a circle, as in Pacuvius, and in Virgil in attendance, near by, and at many points around.^(OLD 2012) As a preposition with the accusative it meant round, in a circle round, as in Cato; gathered round a person, as in Terence; in the neighbourhood of, as in Ennius; and round several places in turn, as in Plautus.^(OLD 2012) Vitruvius used it of time, about.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ As the prefix ''circum-'' it formed many compounds such as ''circumdō'' and ''circumferō''.^(OLD 2012) Isidore derived the name of the Circus from the horses running round the turning posts.^(Isidore) English uses it in compounds with [[en|circum-]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato uses it as a preposition.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius uses it of time.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # Round about, in a circle.^(OLD 2012)

+ # In attendance; near by.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ===Preposition===

+ # (with accusative) [[m|en|Around]], round.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Gathered round, in attendance on.^(OLD 2012)

+ # In the neighbourhood of, near.^(OLD 2012)

+ # About (of time).^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[circā]]

+ * [[circumcellio]]

+ * [[circumcircā]]

+ * [[circumquaque]]

+ * [[circumsecus]]

+ * [[incircum]]

+ * [[circumundique]]

+ * [[circum-]]

+ * [[idcircō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[circus]]

+ * [[circiter]]

+ * [[circulus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}