CIRCUMVALLATE


Meaning of CIRCUMVALLATE in English

I. -ˈva-ˌlāt transitive verb

( -lat·ed ; -lat·ing )

Etymology: Latin circumvallatus, past participle of circumvallare to surround with siege works, from circum- + vallum rampart — more at wall

Date: circa 1798

: to surround by or as if by a rampart

• cir·cum·val·la·tion -ˌva-ˈlā-shən noun

II. -ˈva-ˌlāt, -ˈva-lət adjective

Date: circa 1852

: being any of approximately 12 large papillae near the back of the tongue each of which is surrounded with a marginal sulcus and supplied with taste buds responsive especially to bitter flavors

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.