circumnavigation etymology

Etymology

Circumnavigation is a compound word derived from two Latin roots:

  • Circum-: Meaning "around" or "enclosing"
  • Navigare: Meaning "to sail" or "to navigate"

Therefore, circumnavigation literally means "to sail around."

Meaning and Origin

Circumnavigation refers to the act of sailing around the world, especially in a single voyage. The earliest documented circumnavigation was completed by Ferdinand Magellan's expedition, which departed from Spain in 1519 and returned three years later, having circumnavigated the globe.

Before the 16th century, most sea voyages were limited to coastal areas or within known bodies of water. However, advances in navigation technology, such as the compass and astrolabe, allowed for more ambitious expeditions.

The desire to circumnavigate the world was driven by a variety of factors, including:

  • Economic: The discovery of new trade routes and markets
  • Scientific: The pursuit of knowledge and exploration
  • Political: The establishment of empires and the desire to claim new territories

circumnavigation relate terms

  • circumnavigate

    Etymology Latin circum around navigare to sail Italian circumnavigare Mea

  • circum

    Etymology The word circum comes from the Latin word circum which means around or

  • navigation

    Etymology The word navigation comes from the Latin word navigare which means to sai

  • travel

    Etymology The English word travel derives from the Old French word travailler which

  • attrition

    Etymology The word attrition is derived from the Latin word attritio which means ru

  • mortgage

    Etymology The word mortgage derives from the Old French word mort meaning death a

  • luxury

    Etymology The word luxury derives from the Latin term luxus which means excess ex

  • siren

    Etymology The word siren is derived from the ancient Greek word σειρήν seirēn

  • acolyte

    Etymology From Middle English acolite from Old French acolit from Ecclesiastical Lati

  • Christian

    Etymology The name Christian derives from the Greek word Χριστιανός Chris

  • supercilious

    Etymology Super above Latin Cilium eyelash Latin Meaning haughty or arro

  • alcohol

    Etymology of Alcohol The word alcohol originates from the Arabic word al kuhl whi

  • drive

    Etymology The word drive has its roots in Old English deriving from the verb drīfan