The phrase "crowd around" is pronounced /kraʊd əˈraʊnd/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The spelling of the word "crowd" involves the sound /k/ at the beginning, followed by the vowel sound /raʊ/ (as in "ouch"), and the consonant sound /d/ at the end. The word "around" contains the vowel sound /ə/ (as in "a" in "china"), followed by the sound /raʊ/ and the consonant sound /nd/ pronounced together. Together, the phrase refers to a group of people gathering closely around a certain point or area.
"Crowd around" is a phrasal verb that refers to the action of a group of people gathering tightly or closely around a particular person, object, or location. The term "crowd" signifies a large group of individuals who come together in close proximity, often in a confined space, and "around" indicates that they encircle or surround that specific point of interest.
When people "crowd around," they typically do so to gain a better view, hear someone speaking, or to join in on an event or activity. This behavior can be observed in various contexts, such as when a celebrity appears in public, or when a remarkable occurrence takes place, like an accident or a street performer's act. The act of crowding around often implies curiosity, enthusiasm, or a desire to be part of something.
"Crowd around" can also describe the action of people gathering to listen to or participate in a discussion, presentation, or demonstration. In educational or professional settings, individuals may crowd around a teacher, speaker, or facilitator, in order to engage more closely with the topic being addressed.
Overall, "crowd around" refers to the collective action of a group of people converging and positioning themselves quite closely together around a focal point, be it a person, an object, or a specific location, in order to gain better visibility, access, or interaction.
The term "crowd around" is composed of two parts: "crowd" and "around".
1. "Crowd":
The word "crowd" originated from the late Middle English word "crowden", which means "to press, push". The term has its roots in the Old English word "crudan" or "crud", meaning "to press".
2. "Around":
The word "around" comes from the Middle English term "a-round", which is a combination of the preposition "a" (on) and "round". "Round" comes from the Old English word "round" or "rund", meaning "circular, spherical".
When combined, "crowd around" implies the action of people gathering closely and pressing or pushing themselves in a circular or surrounding manner.