CIRCA


Meaning of CIRCA in English

cir ‧ ca /ˈsɜːkə $ ˈsɜːr-/ BrE AmE preposition formal

[ Date: 1800-1900 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: circum ; CIRCUM- ]

used before a date to show that something happened close to but not exactly on that date SYN around :

manuscripts dating from circa 1100

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THESAURUS

▪ approximately more or less than a number or amount – used especially in technical or scientific contexts:

The company had total revenues of approximately $2 million.

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The disease affects approximately 10% of the adult population.

▪ about more or less than a number or amount. ‘About’ is the usual word to use in everyday English:

It costs about $30 to get a visa.

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There were about 50 people at the meeting.

▪ roughly /ˈrʌfli/ about – used when you are trying to give someone a general idea of the size, amount, or number of something:

The two countries are roughly the same size.

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Roughly how many miles do you travel a year?

▪ around about a number or time – used when you are guessing:

I’ll be there around 5 o'clock.

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The BBC broadcasts around 2,000 radio dramas every year.

▪ somewhere/something in the region of formal about – used with very large numbers or amounts:

Last year he earned something in the region of $60 million.

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It costs somewhere in the region of £100,000 to train a new doctor.

▪ or so informal about – used after a period of time, a number, or an amount:

The journey takes an hour or so.

▪ circa /ˈsɜːkə $ ˈsɜːr-/ formal about – used with dates a long time ago in the past:

The house was built circa 1530.

▪ or more used after a number or amount, when the total may be a lot more:

A thirty-second commercial can cost £60,000 or more.

▪ upwards of more than a number or amount:

The aircraft can carry upwards of 400 passengers.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.