CIRCUMSCRIBE


Meaning of CIRCUMSCRIBE in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈsər-k ə m-ˌskrīb ]

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

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