circa

• Préposition empruntée au latin, utilisée principalement avec des dates, des années ou des quantités pour indiquer une approximation — signifie « environ », « vers » ou « autour de » dans le temps ou le nombre ; registre formel et académique.

A preposition borrowed from Latin, used primarily with dates, years, or quantities to indicate approximation — meaning 'approximately', 'about', or 'around' in time or number; formal and academic register.

1. Approximately (in relation to time or date)C2formalscientific

   Used before a specific year, date, or time period to indicate that the stated time is an estimate rather than an exact figure; commonly found in historical, academic, and formal writing.

   environ (pour une date)

   • The Greek philosopher Socrates was born circa 470 BC.
   • This manuscript dates from circa 1100.
   • The building was constructed circa 1850.

2. Approximately (in relation to quantity or measure)C2formalscientific

   Used before a number, amount, or measurement to indicate that the figure is an approximation rather than an exact value; formal or scholarly usage.

   Environ (approximation quantitative)

   • The artifact is valued at circa $2 million.
   • The population was circa 50,000 at the time of the census.
   • The journey covered a distance of circa 300 miles.