v.
Pronunciation: ' s ə r-k ə m- ˌ skr ī b
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English circumscriven, from Latin circumscribere, from circum- + scribere to write, draw ― more at SCRIBE
Date: 14th century
1 a : to constrict the range or activity of definitely and clearly <his role was carefully circumscribed > b : to define or mark off carefully <a study of plant species in a circumscribed area>
2 a : to draw a line around b : to surround by or as if by a boundary <fields circumscribed by tall trees>
3 : to construct or be constructed around (a geometrical figure) so as to touch as many points as possible
synonyms see LIMIT