Hypertext Webster Gateway: "circumscribe"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Circumscribe \Cir`cum*scribe"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Circumscribed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Circumscribing}.] [L.
circumscribere, -scriptum; circum + scribere to write, draw.
See {Soribe}.]
1. to write or engrave around. [R.]
Thereon is circumscribed this epitaph. --Ashmole.
2. To inclose within a certain limit; to hem in; to surround;
to bound; to confine; to restrain.
To circumscribe royal power. --Bancroft.
3. (Geom.) To draw a line around so as to touch at certain
points without cutting. See {Inscribe}, 5.
Syn: To bound; limit; restrict; confine; abridge; restrain;
environ; encircle; inclose; encompass.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
circumscribe
v 1: draw a line around; "He drew a circle around the points"
2: restrict or confine, as to area, extent, time, etc. [syn: {limit},
{confine}]
3: to draw a geometric figure around another figure so that the
two are in contact but do not intersect
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