circle

circle · noun, verb¹

1. Proto-Indo-European*(s)ker-
2. Ancient Greekκίρκος (kírkos)
3. Latincircus
4. Latincirculus
5. Old Frenchcercle
6. Middle Englishcircle
7. English todaycircle

From Middle English circle, cercle, from Old French cercle and Latin circulus, diminutive of Latin circus (“circle, circus”), from Ancient Greek κίρκος (kírkos, “circle, ring”), related to Old English hring (“ring”). Compare also Old English ċircul (“circle, zodiac”), which came from the same Latin source. By surface analysis, Latin circ(us) + -(u)le.

Circle · proper noun²

From the standard noun circle.

Circle · proper noun³

1. German · derived fromZirkel
2. English todayCircle

Americanized form of German Zirkel.

Words from the same roots