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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary cir·cum·fer·ence \\sə(r)-ˈkəm(p)-fərn(t)s, -f(ə-)rən(t)s\\ noun ETYMOLOGY Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, from Latin circumferentia, from circumferre to carry around, from circum- + ferre to carry — more at bear
DATE 14th century
1. the perimeter of a circle2. the external boundary or surface of a figure or object : periphery • cir·cum·fer·en·tial \\-ˌkəm(p)-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl\\ adjective
circumference
1393, from L. circumferentia, neut. pl. ofcircumferens prp. of circumferre (loan-transl. of Gk. periphereia "rotundity, periphery"), from circum "around" + ferre "to carry" (see infer).
Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English Oxford Collocations dictionary for students of Englishcircumference
noun VERB + CIRCUMFERENCE have | calculate, measure to measure the circumference of a circle PREP. in ~ an area three miles in circumference Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 circumferencecir·cum·fer·ence / sE5kQmfErEns; NAmE sEr5k- / noun[C, U] a line that goes around a circle or any other curved shape; the length of this line 圆周；圆周长: the circumference of the earth 地球的周长 The earth is almost 25 000 miles in circumference. 地球的周长大约为 25 000 英里。 ⇨ compare perimeter (2)
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged cir·cum·fer·ence\sərˈkəm(p)fərn(t)s, -f(ə)rən(t)s, -R & often R səˈk-\ noun( -s) Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French circumference, circonference, from Latin circumferentia, from circumferre to carry around, from circum- + ferre to carry — more at bear 1. : the line that bounds a circular plane surface or the length of this line equal to π times the diameter : perimeter ; broadly : periphery , circuit 2. a. : the surface or outer limits of a sphere or rounded body : the measure of the perimeter of a great circle or sphere < from the center to the circumference of the spheroid > b. : limits , bounds < within the circumference of a grain of sand > < that mysterious intellectual magnetism that enlarges the circumference of his ego — J.C.Powys >
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