circumambulate
to walk around something
Roots
Other words with the ambul root
- amble: to walk at an easy pace
- ambulance: vehicle that carries sick or injured people
- ambulate: to walk or move from place to place
- ambulatory: able to walk; relating to walking or movement
- perambulate: to walk through or around
- preamble: an introductory statement
- somnambulate: to walk while asleep
Circum gives around and ambul gives walk. Circumambulate means walk around.
The pilgrims slowly circumambulated the shrine.
Circumambulate looks long until it starts moving: around plus walk. It is the same joy as somnambulist, but with a different crossing. One walks in sleep; the other walks around.