Etymology Map
Back to all words

Circuit

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a roughly circular route; a path for electric current

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
circuitus
Latin · ancient
"a going around"
'circum', around, plus 'ire', to go
2
Stage 2 of 3
circuit
Old French · medieval
"circuit"
judges travelled on circuit to hold courts
3
Stage 3 of 3
circuit
English · 1300s
"circular route"
electric 'circuits' date from the 1700s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Circuit’s story begins in Latin: circuitus meant “a going around.” 'circum', around, plus 'ire', to go. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as circuit. Judges travelled on circuit to hold courts. It reached English by 1300s as circuit. Electric 'circuits' date from the 1700s. Today, circuit means a roughly circular route; a path for electric current.