Etymology of the English word circumflex
the English word
circumflexderived from the Latin word
flexere (to bend)
derived from the Latin word
circumflexus (action of bending around; rounded form, vault)
derived from the Latin word
circumflectere (bend, turn around)
derived from the Medieval Latin word
circum (around)
using the Late Latin prefix
circum-derived from the Latin word
circus (race course; circus in Rome, celebration of games)
derived from the Greek word
kirkosderived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*kirk-derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*sker- (to turn, bend)
derived from the Latin word
flectere (bend, curve, bow)
Date
The earliest known usage of circumflex in English dates from the 16th century.
Derivations in English
circumflexingCognates
Dutch
circumflex, French
circonflexe, German
Zirkumflex, Italian
circonflesso, Norwegian
cirkumfleks, Spanish
circumflejo, Swedish
cirkumflexUsage
Word found in Modern English
