The phrase "went round" is spelled using the IPA phonetic transcription as /wɛnt raʊnd/. The letter combination "we" is pronounced as a short vowel sound /ɛ/ followed by the letter combination "nt" which is pronounced as in the word "went". Then, the letter combination "ro" is pronounced with a diphthong /raʊ/ which is a combination of the sounds /r/ and /aʊ/. Finally, "nd" is pronounced as "d". Altogether, "went round" is a common phrase used to express a circular movement or a visit to a place or person.
Went round is a phrasal verb that is commonly used in both British and American English.
In a literal sense, went round refers to the act of circling or moving in a circular motion around something or someone. For example, "The children went round and round on the carousel."
Figuratively, went round can mean spreading or circulating information or gossip among a group of people. It refers to the act of engaging in conversation or discussing a particular topic with various individuals. For instance, "News of the scandal went round the office quickly."
"Went round" can also be used to describe visiting multiple places or locations, usually in a casual or informal manner. It implies moving from one place to another without a specific plan or direction. For instance, "During their trip to Europe, they went round several countries in a span of three months."
Additionally, went round can refer to an object or message being delivered or distributed to a group of people. It suggests the process of delivering or disseminating something to multiple individuals. For example, "She went round the office handing out invitations to the party."
Overall, although the usage of went round may vary depending on the context, it generally conveys the idea of circulation, movement, or distribution either physically or metaphorically.
The etymology of the phrase went round can be understood by examining the origins of its components separately.
1. Went: The past tense of the verb go. It derives from the Old English word wendan, which means to proceed on a course. Over time, wendan evolved into went in Middle English.
2. Round: This word comes from the Old English word rund or reund, which means circular, round. It has Germanic roots and is also related to the Old Norse word rundr, meaning round.
When these two words are combined, went round means proceeded in a circular or rounded manner.