rotunda

Where does the word "rotunda" come from? It comes from Latin rotundus, passing through Italian before entering English (1700s).

Rotunda’s story begins in Latin: rotundus meant “round, circular.” Round, circular, from rota (a wheel). By 1600s, the word had taken hold in Italian as rotonda. Settled in Italian for a round building, especially one topped by a dome. It reached English by 1700s as rotunda. The Pantheon in Rome and the US Capitol rotunda are famous examples. Today, rotunda means a round building or room, especially one topped with a dome.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient rotundus "round, circular", round, circular, from rota (a wheel).
2. Stage 2 · Italian · 1600s rotonda "a round domed building", settled in Italian for a round building, especially one topped by a dome.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1700s rotunda "a round building or room, especially domed", the Pantheon in Rome and the US Capitol rotunda are famous examples.