Circumference traces to Latin circumferentia and the verb circumferre. That verb combines around with carry. Middle English received the noun through both Middle French and Latin influence.
The two borrowing influences are not presented as a single compulsory route.
Sources
- Merriam-Webster: circumference
Middle French and Latin routes; circumferentia from circumferre and ferre, to carry.
- Merriam-Webster: circum-
The Latin prefix means around.
- Online Etymology Dictionary: conference
Also built on *ferre*: conference, from Latin conferre "to bring together" (com "together" + ferre "to bear, carry")
- Online Etymology Dictionary · circumference
Meanings of the older forms on the word path.
- logeion.uchicago.edu · circumferentia
Meanings of the older forms on the word path.