Zirkel

German

Zirkel (monogram), comprised of E, F, V.

Etymology

From Middle High German zirkel, from Old High German zirkil, from Latin circinus (“pair of compasses”), from Ancient Greek κίρκινος (kírkinos). The Old High German -il is due to either alteration after the Germanic tool suffix *-ilaz, or confluence with Latin circulus (“circle”); the -k- speaks in favour of the latter explanation. The sense “circle”, which appears in Middle High German, is at any rate borrowed from circulus. Both Latin words ultimately go back to Ancient Greek κίρκος (kírkos).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈtsɪrkəl/, [ˈt͡sɪʁ.kl̩], [ˈt͡sɪɐ̯-], [-kəl]

• Audio

  (file)

Noun

Zirkel m (strong, genitive Zirkels, plural Zirkel)

1. pair of compasses, compass (device to draw circles)
2. (rare) circle (geometrical figure)

   Synonym: Kreis (much more common)

3. (figurative) circle (group of persons with a common interest)

   Synonym: Kreis

4. monogram of a student society.

Declension

Declension of Zirkel [masculine, strong]

	singular			plural
	indef.	def.	noun	def.	noun
nominative	ein	der	Zirkel	die	Zirkel
genitive	eines	des	Zirkels	der	Zirkel
dative	einem	dem	Zirkel	den	Zirkeln
accusative	einen	den	Zirkel	die	Zirkel

Derived terms

• zirkeln, zirkulär, zirkulieren

Related terms

• Geheimzirkel, Lesezirkel, Literaturzirkel, Quintenzirkel, Stechzirkel
• Zirkelbeweis, Zirkelkasten, Zirkelkonstruktion, Zirkelschluss
• Zirkus

Descendants

• → Polish: cyrkiel
• → Russian: циркуль (cirkulʹ)

Further reading

• “Zirkel” in Duden online
• “Zirkel” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache