- circulate
- 1471, as a chemical term for alternating vaporization and condensation, from L. circulatus, pp. of circulare, from circulus (see circle). Meaning "to move around, revolve" is from 1670s; of blood, from 1656; of persons, "to mingle in a social gathering," from 1863. Sense of "to pass about freely" is from 1664; of newspapers from 1885. Related: Circulating (1630s).