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circum-

Origin

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a prefix with the meaning “round about, around,” found in Latin loanwords, especially derivatives of verbs that had the general senses “to encompass or surround” (circumference; circumjacent; circumstance) or “to go around” by the means or in the manner specified by the verb (circumnavigate; circumscribe); on this basis forming adjectives in English with the meaning “surrounding” that named by the stem (circumocular; circumpolar).

Origin:
< Latin circum around (accusative of circus; see circus, circle), orig. as an adv. fixed in relation to the v., later construed as a prefix

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Circum- is always a great word to know.

So is gobo. Does it mean:

the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.

a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.

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Collins

World English Dictionary

circum-

—*prefix*
	around; surrounding; on all sides: circumlocution; circumrotate

[from Latin circum around, from circus circle]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

circum-

prefix meaning "around," from L. adv. and prep. circum "around, round about," accusative form of circus "ring" (see circle).

American Heritage

Medical Dictionary

circum- pref.
Around; about: circumduction.

American Heritage

Science Dictionary

circum-
A prefix meaning "around", as in circumscribe, to draw a figure around another figure.

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