cir ‧ cum ‧ scribe /ˈsɜːkəmskraɪb $ ˈsɜːr-/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: circumscribere , from circum- ( CIRCUM- ) + scribere 'to write, draw' ]
1 . [often passive] formal to limit power, rights, or abilities SYN restrict :
The President’s power is circumscribed by Congress and the Supreme Court.
2 . technical to draw a line around something:
a circle circumscribed by a square