Etymology Map
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Circle

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a round plane figure

Where does the word "circle" come from? It comes from Latin circulus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
circulus
Latin · ancient
"small ring"
a diminutive of 'circus', ring
2
Stage 2 of 3
cercle
Old French · medieval
"circle"
the spelling was later remodelled on Latin
3
Stage 3 of 3
circle
English · 1300s
"ring shape"
social 'circles' date from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Circle’s story begins in Latin: circulus meant “small ring.” A diminutive of 'circus', ring. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as cercle. The spelling was later remodelled on Latin. It reached English by 1300s as circle. Social 'circles' date from the 1700s. Today, circle means a round plane figure.