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circumambulate

[sur-kuh m-am-byuh-leyt]
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verb (used with or without object), cir·cum·am·bu·lat·ed, cir·cum·am·bu·lat·ing.
  1. to walk or go about or around, especially ceremoniously.
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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

Examples from the Web for circumambulate

Historical Examples

  • 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.

British Dictionary definitions for circumambulate

circumambulate

verb
  1. to walk around (something)
  2. (intr) to avoid the point
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Derived Formscircumambulation, nouncircumambulator, nouncircumambulatory, adjective

Word Origin

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

v.

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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper