v. & n.
v.tr. 1 come or be all round; encircle, enclose. 2 (in passive; foll. by by, with) have on all sides (the house is surrounded by trees).
n. 1 Brit. a a border or edging, esp. an area between the walls and carpet of a room. b a floor-covering for this. 2 an area or substance surrounding something. surrounding adj.
[ ME = overflow, f. AF sur(o)under, OF s(o)uronder f. LL superundare (as SUPER-, undare flow f. unda wave) ]