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

Adjective

Coronary Arteries The coronary arteries include the right coronary artery (RCA) and the left coronary artery, which divides into the circumflex artery and the left anterior descending artery (LAD). —Christopher Lee, Verywell Health, 10 Oct. 2024

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