Court Reporter Practice Exam

What does the term "circa" refer to?

1. approximately

2. not less than

3. exactly

4. frequently

The correct answer is: approximately

The term "circa" is used to indicate an approximation, often in relation to dates or historical events. When someone uses "circa," they are suggesting that the date or figure is not exact, but rather close to a certain point or amount. This usage is common in historical contexts where exact dates may not be known, such as "circa 1800" meaning around the year 1800, but not necessarily that year. The precision of "circa" is important in research and documentation, especially in fields like history, archaeology, and even in legal contexts, where a general timeframe can provide significant context. Understanding that "circa" implies an approximation helps in interpreting historical documents and data correctly. Thus, it's clearly aligned with the idea of being approximate, confirming that the answer reflects the correct usage of the term.