go-round
UK[ˈɡəʊ raʊnd]US[ˈɡoʊ raʊnd]
n
A single complete cycle of an activity, process, or argument, especially one that is repeated.
n
A ride on a merry-go-round or similar revolving device.
Morpheme Breakdown
go
round
go
to advance, walk, depart.
round
circular, spherical.
Etymology
The compound noun 'go-round' is a modern English formation built from the common phrasal verb 'to go round'. The verb 'go' has ancient Proto-Indo-European roots in ghē-, meaning "to release, let go," which evolved into the Old English concept of movement. 'Round' traces back to the Latin 'rotundus', from 'rota' (wheel), implying circularity. Combined, the literal sense of "moving in a circular path" was metaphorically extended in the 19th century to describe any repetitive cycle, such as a sequence of events or a repeated argument, capturing the idea of returning to a starting point.
Analysis
Structure: go + round
go: From Old English 'gān', meaning "to advance, walk, depart." It functions as the verb base indicating motion.
round: From Old French 'rond', from Latin 'rotundus', meaning "circular, spherical." It functions as an adverbial particle indicating circular or repetitive motion.
Examples
We had the same go-round about chores last week.
The children each had a go-round on the carousel.
It was just another go-round in their ongoing dispute.