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• circum-
  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 ).
• circum.
  circum.

  abbreviation

  circumference.
• circum–
  circum–

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

circum-

¹ American  

1. 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 ).

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circum. ² American  

abbreviation

1. circumference.

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circum- British  

prefix

1. around; surrounding; on all sides

   circumlocution

   circumrotate

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circum– Scientific  

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

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Etymology

Origin of circum-

From Latin circum “around” (accusative of circus; see circus, circle), originally as an adverb fixed in relation to the verb, later construed as a prefix

Example Sentences

And that, at least, gave me some hope: that even under ordinary circum- stances, I still might find a way to live an extraordinary life.

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs

I have only to relate, as briefly as possible, the circum- stances that finally brought us to our destination.

From The Survivors of the Chancellor by Verne, Jules

I stated this circum- stance to F. Kohlmann, at breakfast, and requested him to accompany me.

From The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 5 (of 12) Dresden Edition?Discussions by Ingersoll, Robert Green

Here she could see some object which circum- stances proved to be a vehicle for after a few minutes the horse down the road, mingled with the sound of light wheels.

From Far from the Madding Crowd by Hardy, Thomas

I take it for granted that a being of infinite wisdom would not waste any force,—that he would not throw away any "omnipotence," and that, under ordinary circum- stances, he would husband his resources.

From The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 5 (of 12) Dresden Edition?Discussions by Ingersoll, Robert Green