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"circa (c.)" (Latin)

by Craig Shrives

What does the Latin term circa (c.) mean?

"Circa" is a Latin term that is commonly abbreviated as "c." It means "around" or "approximately" when used in relation to dates, indicating that the given date is an approximation or an estimate rather than an exact or precise measurement.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three example sentences using the term "circa":

The painting was created circa 1650, during the height of the Baroque period.
The ancient civilization flourished in the region circa 2000 BCE.
The manuscript was written circa the 12th century, although the exact date is uncertain.

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