ABSTRACT
S. From L circum, circa (para 2 above), rather than from L circus, derives the LL circare, to go around, (hence) go about, whence OF-MF cercher (EF-F chercher), whence ME cerchen,later serchen, whence 'to search', whence searcher (cf EF-F chercheur) and 'a search'-cf the OF-MF n cerche from the v cercher. Searchlight is an obvious, though important, cpd with LIGHT.
