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E 0174 CIRCLE, CIRCUS
The words " circle " and "
circus " are of Latin origin .
H 0484 ר כ כ
H 0484 ב כ כ ר
Concept of root : ring
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Hebrew word
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pronunciation
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English meanings
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ר כ כ
ב כ כ ר
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kikkar;
kirkčv
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round
disc;
to encircle
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Related English words
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circle,
circus, from Latin
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Comparison between European words and
Hebrew
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Languages
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Words
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Pronunciation
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English meanings
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Similarity in roots
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Hebrew
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ר כ כ
ב כ כ ר
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kikkar; kirkčv
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round disc; to encircle
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k . k . r ;
k . r k . v
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Greek
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κυκλος;
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κιρκος
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kΰklos;
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kirkos
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round space,
disc of sun, circle;
ring,
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k . k l
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k . r k
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Latin
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circus
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kirkus
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circus
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c . r c
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English
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circle ;
circus
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cirkle ;
cirkus
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c . r c
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Proto-Semitic *KIKKAR --- *KĪRK- Indo-European
The main element in both Greek and Hebrew is here that of roundness. Greek verbs with the same root have "round" messages. And the adjective " κυκλιος , kΰklios " says "round, circular". The difference between the Greek L and the Hebrew R is not very important, as these two consonants often alternate between pronunciation. And In Old Indian and Avestan we have the "R" present.
Important is to note that all words may have as their origin a root "*K R". The Greeks and Romans have repeated the K after the R, Hebrew before the R.
Note:
- Greek has donated this word, like many others, to the greater part of the world, as seen in English "cycle". This lives together with "circle" from the Latin word of this entry.
Even in Greek we see the two mentioned words alternate the
consonants L and R , also with a metathesis with the K-sound.
Note:
- Hebrew in modern language uses this word "kikkar" to indicate a square, as in a town. Apparently squares in the Jewish land were more round in shape when this use was coined.
Some believe that "kikkar" comes from "kirkar = to dance". The words are certainly related, but all based on one old root, that might have been "*K . R" or "*K Y R". The second version is the more probable one , as the I-sound is found in Indo European languages as well. The Greek "ǘ " is an indication that the oldest form may have had a "Waw" . That perhaps preceded both Proto Indo-European and Proto-Semitic.
Note:
- Proto-Semitic. Proto-Semitic is considered as having had the same root "K K R" seen in Hebrew : "*כ כ ר , K K R". But the root "כ ר כ ב , K R K B" may be a specific Hebrew development, lengthening a two consonant root into a four consonant root, in part by doubling the first consonant and then by adding a new one. Proto-Semitic anyhow had the brief two consonant root "* כ ר , K R".
The Hebrew words are seen as related to several roots, beginning with "K R" that indicate roundness, encircling or related meanings. "K K R" is also present in Aramaic "כ כ ר א, kakarŕ".
Note:
- Latin has both "circus" and "circulus". The first word originally meant the usually round line that was drawn on the ground to indicate limits and places for races and combats. It has later given its name also to the Roman sport-stadiums, up till the Circus Maximus. It still lives on in modern "circus", in which we see rings in great round tents.
"Circulus" is a diminutive that has led to English "circle".
Note:
- Indo-European. There are interesting contributions from the east. As often the vowel " A " enjoys preference there.
Old Indian has "cakrá- = wheel", a clearly circular object. One notes that the initial "K"-sound has been maintained in Old Indian, but then we will see that in Avestan it was changed into "SH".
Avestan has a similar "shakhra-" also meaning "wheel".
Indo-European probably had "*K I R K-". This does not contradict the appearing of the preferred classic vowel "A" in the eastern languages.
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| Created: Tuesday 6 November 2007 at 22.30.54 Updated: 29/10/2012 at 9.39.30 |
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