Circa (from lat. - "around, around"), c., Ca or ca. (also circ. or cca.) - means "approximately" in several European languages, including English, usually with reference to a date. [one]
Circa are widely used in genealogical and historical records when dates of events are unknown.
When used in a number of dates, Circa is applied before each approximate date, and dates without the Circa immediately preceding them are expected to be known with certainty. For example:
- 1732-1799 or 1732-99: both years are precisely known.
- c. 1732-1799: the year of graduation is known exactly, the year of commencement is approximate.
- 1732 - c. 1799: the beginning year is known exactly, the year of graduation is approximate.
- c. 1732 - c. 1799: both are approximate.
Notes
- ↑ circa . Dictionary.com . Date of treatment July 16, 2010.