Circumvolve

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˌsɜː.kəmˈvɒlv/

Definitions

1. To revolve or rotate around a center or axis in a circular or spiral motion
2. To move in a circular or spiral path around a fixed point or center
3. To rotate or spiral continuously around an axis or central point

Etymology: "Circumvolve" is built from Latin "circumvolvere," which combined "circum-," meaning "around," with "volvere," meaning "to roll" or "to turn." Put together, the sense is a rolling or turning around something, which is exactly what the English verb describes when it means spinning about a central point. The Latin "volvere" is also the source of "revolve," "evolve," and "involve," all of which share the same core idea of turning or unrolling. "Evolve," for instance, originally meant to unroll or unfold, as a scroll is unrolled to reveal its text. The "circum-" prefix simply adds the notion of going all the way around, so the word presents the image of a body turning in a full circle.

Synonyms: revolve, rotate, orbit