circa Latin · revision 8441

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Lex Repetundarum|origins=la circus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

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

+

+ ==Forms==

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

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a later formation beside [[circum]] “around”, the old accusative of [[circus]] “ring”; de Vaan dates it to the end of the 1st century BC.^(de Vaan 2008) The OLD derives it from ⟨circum⟩ with the adverb ending [[-ā]], and Lewis & Short report Klotz's explanation as ⟨circum eā⟩.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) De Vaan takes ⟨circus⟩ to be probably a loan from [[grc|κρίκος|tr=kríkos|t=ring]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan's first source is the ''Lex repetundarum'' (late 2nd century BC).^(de Vaan 2008) Lewis & Short note that it is rare before the Augustan period and frequent in Livy and Quintilian.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As an adverb it meant round about, in the vicinity, as in Vitruvius and Virgil, and on either side in Livy.^(OLD 2012) As a preposition with the accusative it meant around, in the company of, near, as in Cicero; in Horace about, of number or size, and in Livy about, of time, and concerning.^(OLD 2012) In Seneca it marked an activity (“busy about”), and in Pliny the Elder it meant with regard to.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Medieval Latin used it for towards, on behalf of, and a separate noun ''circa'' (from ''circāre'') for a watch round in a fortress or monastery.^(Niermeyer 1976) British Medieval Latin used it for approximately and concerning.^(DMLBS) It survives in Spanish and Portuguese ''cerca'', and English took [[m|en|circa]] in 1856 for “about” a date.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * late 2nd century BC – The ''Lex repetundarum'' uses it.^(de Vaan 2008)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it as a preposition, “around”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it of time, “about”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1856 – English ''circa'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # Round about, around.^(OLD 2012)

+ # In the neighbourhood; on either side.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ===Preposition===

+ # (with accusative) Around; in the company of; near.^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|About]], approximately (of number or time).^(OLD 2012)

+ # Concerning; with regard to.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[circāmoerium]]

+ * [[circumcircā]]

+ * [[quōcircā]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[circus]]

+ * [[circum]]

+ * [[circiter]]

+ * [[en|circa]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}