circum-

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circum-

a prefix with the meaning “round about, around,” found in Latin loanwords, esp. 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).

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Origin:
< L circum around (acc. 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. 2010.
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Link To circum-

circum-
pref. Around; about: circumlunar.

[Latin, from circum, around, accusative of circus, circle; see circle.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

circum-

from L. circum adv. and prep., "around, round about" (as in circumnavigate, 1634), accusative form of circus "ring."

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

circum- pref.
Around; about: circumduction.

Science Dictionary

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

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