It's Greek To Me!

Greek and Latin Prefixes, Roots and Suffixes used in English
This page © 1999 by Nicholas E. Miller


Basic term

Meaning

Greek
Latin
Prefix
Suffix

circum

around

.
Yes
Yes
.

Examples

Definition

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circumambulate (5)

(verb) - around + walk = to walk around, especially in a ritual like manner. Circumambulation is the noun form.

circumcenter (3)

(noun) - around + (Greek) center = the point where the perpendicular bisectors of the sides of a triangle intersect and are equidistant from the vertices.

circumcise (4)

(verb) - around + cut = to cut off the foreskin on a male, occasionally for misguided health reasons or religious reasons in some cults, and the clitoris in the case of a female. Circumciser is the noun form for a person who does this and circumcised is also the noun form for a victim of this practice.

circumference (2)

(noun) - around + carry = the perimeter of a circle or the outer border or surface of a figure or object. The bounds, limits or periphery of something. Circumferential is the adjective form.

circumflex (4)

(adj.) - around + bend = marked with, or displaying the pitch or quality indicated by, a circumflex.

circumflex (4)

(noun) - around + bend = the mark ^, used to indicate a rising-falling tone or to mark other vowel qualities.

circumfluent (5)

(adj.) - around + flow = flowing around in the manner of a fluid. Circumfluous is the adjective form.

circumlunar (4)

(adj.) - around + moon = encircling or revolving around the moon.

circumnavigate (3)

(verb) - around + to navigate = to go completely around the earth, usually by water; also used to mean to go around instead of through as in to bypass. Circumnavigation is a noun form and circumnavigator the noun form for a person who does this.

circumpolar (4)

(adj.) - around + axis = in the vicinity of a pole, such as the earth's north or south poles, also continually visible above the horizon.

circumscribe (3)

(verb) - around + write = to define, mark off or restrict the limits of something; to draw a line around something; to construct a geometrical figure which touches all or most points or vertices.

circumsolar (4)

(adj.) - around + sun = in the vicinity of the sun.

circumspect (3)

(adj.) - around + look at = prudent, careful to consider everything and the possible consequences. Careful. Circumspectly is the adverb form and circumspection is the noun form.

circumstance (2)

(noun) - around + to stand = an occurrence, a condition, fact, or event accompanying or determining another, a minor detail; the sum of all details and conditions beyond one's control. Circumstances, in the plural, is often used to refer to one's financial status.

circumstantial (3)

(adj.) - around + to stand = dependent on circumstances; a non essential detail; complete and particular attention to detail. Circumstantially is the adverb form.

circumstantial evidence (3)

(noun) - around + to stand + evidence = evidence which does not prove a fact, but provides information which may be used to infer other facts about a matter.

circumstellar (4)

(adj.) - around + star = in the vicinity of a star.

circumvent (3)

(verb) - around + go or come (sources vary) = to catch or defeat something by ingenuity; to avoid or get around some problem or something. Circumvention is the noun form.

uncircumcised (4)

(adj.) - not + around + cut = not circumcised, also used by some to mean a non-believer. Uncircumcision is considered to be the noun form.