circumflex

1 of 2

adjective

cir·​cum·​flex ˈsər-kəm-ˌfleks 

1

: characterized by the pitch, quantity, or quality indicated by a circumflex

2

: marked with a circumflex

circumflex

2 of 2

noun

: a mark ˆ, ⌢, or ˜ originally used in Greek over long vowels to indicate a rising-falling tone and in other languages to mark length, contraction, or a particular vowel quality

Examples of circumflex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There’s something about the circumflex over the a, the accent over the e, that adds a sense of mystique. —Talia Lavin, Bon Appetit, 15 May 2017

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin circumflexus, past participle of circumflectere to bend around, mark with a circumflex, from circum- + flectere to bend

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1609, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

circumflex

noun

cir·​cum·​flex

ˈsər-kəm-ˌfleks

: a mark ˆ over a vowel

Medical Definition

circumflex

adjective

cir·​cum·​flex ˈsər-kəm-ˌfleks 

of nerves and blood vessels

: bending around