circumambulate

[ sur-kuh m-am-byuh-leyt ]
/ ˌsɜr kəmˈæm byəˌleɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR circumambulate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with or without object), cir·cum·am·bu·lat·ed, cir·cum·am·bu·lat·ing.

to walk or go about or around, especially ceremoniously.

Origin of circumambulate

First recorded in 1650–60, circumambulate is from the Late Latin word circumambulātus (past participle of circumambulāre). See circum-, ambulate

OTHER WORDS FROM circumambulate

cir·cum·am·bu·la·tion, noun cir·cum·am·bu·la·tor, noun cir·cum·am·bu·la·to·ry, adjective

Words nearby circumambulate

circulatory system, circulus, circum-, circum., circumambient, circumambulate, circumanal gland, circumbasal, circumbendibus, circumcenter, circumcircle

Words related to circumambulate

drift, reach, encompass, spread, cover, trek, traipse, ramble, stray, cruise, hike, float, roam, straggle, meander, amble, saunter, stroll, traverse, sweep

Example sentences from the Web for circumambulate

  • Is this me, around whom children ran, as they would about a pillar or a monument, and thought it exercise to circumambulate?

    Arthur O'Leary |Charles James Lever

  • They kneel, clasp their hands, circumambulate the Buddha and file out.

    The Buddha |Paul Carus

  • Do thou, therefore, circumambulate that great hero cheerfully.

    The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Bk. 4 |Kisari Mohan Ganguli

British Dictionary definitions for circumambulate

circumambulate
/ (ˌsɜːkəmˈæmbjʊˌleɪt) /

verb

to walk around (something)
(intr) to avoid the point

Derived forms of circumambulate

circumambulation, noun circumambulator, noun circumambulatory, adjective

Word Origin for circumambulate

C17: from Late Latin circum- + ambulāre to walk