annular
Meaning
shaped like a ring
(astronomy) of or denoting an eclipse in which a thin ring of the sun's disk remains visible around the moon.
Structure
Usage
the telescope revealed the planet's distinctive annular rings.
an annular eclipse will be visible from parts of the continent next year.
the artifact was an annular disc made of bronze.
Etymology
The word 'annular' traces its lineage directly to the Latin noun 'annulus', meaning a small ring or circle. This Latin term is itself a diminutive form of 'anus', which simply meant a ring. The suffix '-ar' is a Latin adjectival ending that attaches to noun stems to form adjectives meaning 'relating to' or 'having the form of'. Therefore, the literal construction 'annul-ar' means 'pertaining to a ring'. The semantic journey is straightforward and transparent, with the core concept of a circular shape remaining intact from its Latin origin to its Modern English usage in general and scientific contexts, such as describing ring-shaped objects or a specific type of solar eclipse.
Analysis
annul is from latin 'annulus' (a small ring). ar is a latin-derived adjective-forming suffix meaning 'pertaining to' or 'of the nature of'.