Legal Definitions - circa

The term circa is a Latin word meaning "about" or "around." It is used to indicate that a date or time is approximate rather than exact, often because the precise information is unknown or cannot be determined with certainty.

Here are some examples illustrating the use of circa:

• Example 1: Art History

  A museum label for an ancient sculpture might read: "Marble Bust of an Emperor, created circa 150 AD."

  Explanation: This indicates that while experts believe the sculpture was made around the year 150 AD, the exact year of its creation is not precisely known. The use of circa acknowledges this approximation.

• Example 2: Historical Documents

  When discussing a foundational legal text from a distant past, a historian might state: "The earliest known draft of the city's charter dates to circa 1285, though its final ratification occurred later."

  Explanation: This usage signifies that while the document is believed to have been drafted around 1285, the exact date of its initial creation is not definitively recorded or has been lost to time. Circa communicates this estimated timeframe.

• Example 3: Archaeological Findings

  An archaeologist presenting findings from a dig might report: "Radiocarbon dating suggests the pottery fragments unearthed at the site are from circa 800 BCE."

  Explanation: Here, circa is used to convey that the scientific dating methods provide an estimated age for the artifacts, indicating they are approximately from 800 BCE, rather than an exact, undisputed year.