Etymology Map
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Circa

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means approximately (used with dates)

Where does the word "circa" come from? It comes from Latin circa, adopted directly into English (1860s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
circa
Latin · ancient
"around"
'around', from 'circus', ring
2
Stage 2 of 2
circa
English · 1860s
"approximately"
taken up by historians and cataloguers, usually shortened to 'c.' before a date
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Read the full story

Circa’s story begins in Latin: circa meant “around.” 'around', from 'circus', ring. It reached English by 1860s as circa. Taken up by historians and cataloguers, usually shortened to 'c.' before a date. Today, circa means approximately (used with dates).