circum-

a prefix with the meaning “round about, around,” found in Latin loanwords, especially derivatives of verbs that had the general senses “to encompass or surround” (circumference; circumjacent; circumstance) or “to go around” by the means or in the manner specified by the verb (circumnavigate; circumscribe); on this basis forming adjectives in English with the meaning “surrounding” that named by the stem (circumocular; circumpolar).

Origin of circum-

< Latin circum around (accusative of circus; see circus, circle), orig. as an adv. fixed in relation to the v., later construed as a prefix

Words nearby circum-

circulation, circulator, circulatory, circulatory system, circulus, circum-, circum., circumambient, circumambulate, circumanal gland, circumbasal

British Dictionary definitions for circum-

circum-

prefix

around; surrounding; on all sides circumlocution; circumrotate

Word Origin for circum-

from Latin circum around, from circus circle

Medical definitions for circum-

circum-

pref.

Around; about:circumduction.

Scientific definitions for circum-

circum-

A prefix meaning “around”, as in circumscribe, to draw a figure around another figure.