circumambulate

[sur-kuh m-am-byuh-leyt]

See more 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

Related formscir·cum·am·bu·la·tion, nouncir·cum·am·bu·la·tor, nouncir·cum·am·bu·la·to·ry, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for circumambulate

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

Examples from the Web for circumambulate

Historical Examples of circumambulate

They kneel, clasp their hands, circumambulate the Buddha and file out.
The Buddha
Paul Carus
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
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

verb

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

Derived Formscircumambulation, nouncircumambulator, nouncircumambulatory, adjective

Word Origin for circumambulate

C17: from Late Latin circum- + ambulāre to walk

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for circumambulate

1650s, from Latin circumambulatus, past participle of circumambulare "to walk around," from circum "around" (see circum-) + ambulare "to walk" (see amble). Related: Circumambulated; circumambulating; circumambulation.