circumflex meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

circumflex

noun

UK /ˈsɜː.kəmˌflɛks/ · US /ˈsɝ.kəmˌflɛks/

Etymology Learned borrowing from Latin circumflexus (“bent about”), calqued from Ancient Greek περισπώμενος (perispṓmenos, “drawn around”).

A diacritical mark (ˆ) placed over a vowel in the orthography or transliteration of many languages to change its pronunciation; while in some other languages over a consonant.

Derived terms: inverted circumflex

circumflex

adj

Etymology Learned borrowing from Latin circumflexus (“bent about”), calqued from Ancient Greek περισπώμενος (perispṓmenos, “drawn around”).

Having a circumflex mark.

ê is e circumflex.

Curving around.

The circumflex coronary artery

circumflex

verb

Etymology Learned borrowing from Latin circumflexus (“bent about”), calqued from Ancient Greek περισπώμενος (perispṓmenos, “drawn around”).

To mark or pronounce with a circumflex.

to circumflex a syllable
those words […]circumflexed on the last syllabe1791, John Walker, Critical Pronouncing Dictionary:

Obsolete To arch.

A venerable old man sitting in a chaire, with a severe aspect, wrinkled forehead, circumflex't eie-browes, great white curled beard.1687, John Aubrey, Remaines of Gentilisme and Judaisme, page 105:

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.