Etymology Map
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Circulate

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to move continuously around

Where does the word "circulate" come from? It comes from Latin circulari, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
circulari
Latin · ancient
"to form a circle"
from 'circulus', small circle
2
Stage 2 of 2
circulate
English · 1400s
"to move in a circle"
'blood circulation' was described by William Harvey in 1628
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Read the full story

Circulate’s story begins in Latin: circulari meant “to form a circle.” From 'circulus', small circle. It reached English by 1400s as circulate. 'blood circulation' was described by William Harvey in 1628. Today, circulate means to move continuously around.