circled
UK[ˈsɜːkld]US[ˈsɜːrkld]
v
past tense and past participle of circle. to move or be in a circular path around something.
adj
having a circular shape or form; marked with a circle.
Etymology
the word "circled" derives from the verb "circle", which entered english in the late 14th century from old french cercler, itself from latin circulare "to form a circle". the latin root is circulus, meaning "small ring" or "hoop", a diminutive of circus meaning "ring" or "circus". this traces back to the greek kirkos, likely from the proto-indo-european root sker- meaning "to turn" or "to bend", which is also the source of words like "ring", "crown", and "curve". the addition of the past tense suffix "-ed" follows the regular inflectional pattern in english, transforming the action of moving in a circular path into its completed form.
Analysis
the word "circled" is the past tense/past participle form of the verb "circle". it is not productively segmented into separate morphemes in modern english without altering the base form. the base "circle" originates from latin circulus, a diminutive of circus (ring).
Examples
the aircraft circled the airport twice before receiving clearance to land.
she had circled the important dates on the calendar in red ink.
the ancient stones were circled by a low, moss-covered wall.