A Latin prefix meaning 'around' or 'about,' used to form words related to movement or position around something.
From Latin 'circum,' a preposition and prefix meaning 'around.' It derives from the same root as 'circus' and 'circle.' The prefix has been productive in English since the medieval period.
The prefix 'circum-' is incredibly generative—once you understand it means 'around,' you can guess the meaning of words you've never seen: 'circumnavigate' (sail around), 'circumvent' (go around), 'circumscribe' (write around). It's a prefix power-up for your vocabulary.
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