round

{{11}}round (adj., adv.) late 13c., from Anglo-Fr. rounde, O.Fr. roont, probably originally *redond, from V.L. *retundus (Cf. Prov. redon, Sp. redondo, O.It. ritondo), from L. rotundus "like a wheel, circular, round," related to rota "wheel" (see ROTARY (Cf. rotary)). In many uses it is an aphetic form of AROUND (Cf. around). The French word is the source of M.Du. ront (Du. rond), M.H.G. runt (Ger. rund) and similar Germanic words.

First record of round trip is from 1844, originally of railways. Round number is 1640s, from earlier sense of "full, complete" (mid-14c., sense of symmetry extended to that of completeness). Round heels attested from 1926, in reference to incompetent boxers, 1927 in reference to loose women, in either case implying an inability to avoid ending up flat on one's back.

{{12}}round (n.) early 14c., "a spherical body," from ROUND (Cf. round) (adj.). Cf. Du. rond, Dan., Swed. rund, Ger. runde, all nouns from adjectives. Meaning "large round piece of beef" is recorded from 1650s. Theatrical sense (in phrase in the round) is recorded from 1944. Sense of "circuit performed by a sentinel" is from 1590s; that of "recurring course of time" is from 1710. Meaning "song sung by two or more, beginning at different times" is from 1520s. Golfing sense attested from 1775. Meaning "quantity of liquor served to a company at one time" is from 1630s; that of "single bout in a fight or boxing match" is from 1812; "single discharge of a firearm" is from 1725. Sense of "recurring session of meetings or negotiations" is from 1964.

{{12}}round (v.) late 14c., "to make round," from ROUND (Cf. round) (adj.). Meaning "to approximate a number" is from 1934. Related: Rounded; rounding.