Umgang

Alternative forms

• umgong

Origin

From Middle English umgang, umbegang ("circumference, circuit"), from Old English ymbgang, ymbegang ("going about, going round, circuit, circumference, surrounding belt, a winding course, bend, a going about a business"), from Proto-Germanic *umbi + *gangaz ("a going"), equivalent to - + gang. Cognate with Dutch omgang ("dealing, handling"), German Umgang ("dealings, handling"), Danish and Swedish omgang ("game"). More at umbe-, gang.

Full definition of umgang

Noun

1. (Now chiefly UK dialectal) A round about; a way around; detour.
2. (UK dialectal, chiefly Scotland) An instance of going or passing around; a trip.
3. (UK dialectal, chiefly Scotland) A circuit; circumference.