circum-: Meaning and Definition of

circum-

1. a prefix with the meaning “round about, around,” found in Latin loanwords, esp. derivatives of verbs that had the general senses “to encompass or surround” (circumference; circumjacent; circumstance) or “to go around” by the means or in the manner specified by the verb (circumnavigate; circumscribe); on this basis forming adjectives in English with the meaning “surrounding” that named by the stem (circumocular; circumpolar).

circum.

1. circumference.