Cercle

/sɜrk/ noun

Definition

A circle or circular object; in fencing, a particular type of circular movement or position.

Etymology

From Old French cercle, derived from Latin circulus meaning 'circle.' The word entered English through Norman French but is now primarily used in specialized contexts like fencing.

Kelly Says

Cercle is basically the French word for circle that English borrowed, and it survives mainly in fencing terminology where 'en cercle' means moving in a circle—a perfect example of how sports language preserves old, beautiful vocabulary.

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