umgang

Alternative forms

• umgong

Etymology

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 *umbigangaz, equivalent to um- +‎ gang. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Uumgong, West Frisian omgong, Dutch omgang (“dealing, handling”), German Umgang (“dealings, handling”), Danish and Danish omgang (“game”). More at um-, gang.

Noun

umgang (plural umgangs)

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