circle

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

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.

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