v.
Pronunciation: s ə - ' rau ̇ nd
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, to flood, inundate, from Anglo-French surunder, from Late Latin superundare, to overflow, from Latin super- + unda wave; influenced in meaning by 5 round ― more at WATER
Date: circa 1616
1 a (1) : to enclose on all sides : ENVELOP <the crowd surround ed her> (2) : to enclose so as to cut off communication or retreat : INVEST b : to form or be a member of the entourage of <flatterers who surround the king> c : to constitute part of the environment of < surround ed by poverty> d : to extend around the margin or edge of : ENCIRCLE <a wall surround s the old city>
2 : to cause to be surrounded by something < surround ed himself with friends>