Definition of the word crowd around

The phrase "crowd around" is a phrasal verb that describes the action of a group of people gathering or moving towards a particular location or object. The origin of this expression can be traced back to the Middle English era, during the 14th century. At that time, the term "croud" was used to denote a multitude of people coming together in a specific place. The verb "around" was added to the expression to convey the idea of the people moving towards or encircling an object or a person. Over time, the usage of this phrasal verb became more prevalent in the English language, particularly during the 17th century. In that era, the phrase "crowd around" was often used in connection with public events such as jousting tournaments, executions, and theater performances. The meaning of "crowd around" has remained consistent over the years, with some minor variations in usage. For instance, modern English tends to prefer "crowd" over the archaic term "croud", while some speakers may use "gather" instead of "crowd" as a synonym. In terms of etymology, "croud" derives from the Old Norse "hrauth" (meaning "discouragement"), which was employed to describe a gathering of masses that were likely to become hostile. Conversely, "around" comes from the Anglo-Saxon word "anhāw", which roughly translates to "around". Together, they form a compelling picture of a throng of people encircling a central point. In conclusion, the usage of "crowd around" as a phrasal verb can be traced back to the Middle English era, and it continues to be a commonly used phrase in contemporary English to describe gatherings of people.