ˈ ̷ ̷kəmzˌkrīb, -mˌsk-, ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin circumscribere, from circum- + scribere to write, draw — more at scribe
1.
a. : to draw a line around : encompass with or as if with a line
circumscribe a word on a page
a voyage that circumscribes the world
b. : to surround by or as if by a boundary : bound
that the American nation was not to be circumscribed by narrow isthmuses and gulf streams — Encyc. Americana
2. : to set limits or bounds to: as
a. : to constrict the range or activity of
circumscribe a heart patient's activity
a London physician whose round of practice remained among the poor and was circumscribed by poverty — H.V.Gregory
b. : to define, mark off, or demarcate carefully
rulership by the best and wisest under well-considered laws, circumscribed by a written constitution — V.L.Parrington
3.
a. : to be drawn around (as a geometrical figure) so as to touch at as many points as possible
a curve circumscribing a polygon
b. : to draw (as a line) around something
circumscribe a circle around a triangle
— compare inscribe 4
Synonyms: see limit