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}.] [1913 Webster] 1. to write or engrave around. [R.] [1913 Webster] Thereon is… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
circumscribe — (v.) late 14c., from L. circumscribere to make a circle, to draw a line around, limit, confine, set the boundaries of, from circum around (see CIRCUM (Cf. circum )) + scribere write (see SCRIPT (Cf. script)). Related: Circumscribed;… … Etymology dictionary
circumscribe — confine, *limit, restrict Analogous words: *restrain, inhibit, curb, check: *hamper, trammel, fetter Antonyms: expand, dilate Contrasted words: distend, amplify, inflate, swell (see EXPAND): enlarge (see INCREASE vb) … New Dictionary of Synonyms
circumscribe — [v] mark off, delimit bar, bound, confine, define, delineate, demarcate, encircle, enclose, encompass, environ, girdle, hamper, hem in*, limit, nail down*, outline, prelimit, restrain, restrict, surround, trammel; concepts 18,130 Ant. free, loose … New thesaurus
circumscribe — ► VERB 1) restrict; limit. 2) Geometry draw (a figure) round another, touching it at points but not cutting it. DERIVATIVES circumscription noun. ORIGIN Latin circumscribere, from circum around + scribere write … English terms dictionary
circumscribe — [sʉr′kəm skrīb΄, sʉr΄kəm skrīb′] vt. circumscribed, circumscribing [ME circumscriben < L circumscribere: see CIRCUM & SCRIBE] 1. to trace a line around; encircle; encompass 2. a) to set or mark off the limits of; limit; confine … English World dictionary
circumscribe — verb the power of the local agency has been circumscribed by the national organization Syn: restrict, limit, keep within bounds, curb, confine, restrain; regulate, control •• circumscribe, encircle, enclose, encompass, envelop, surround Strictly… … Thesaurus of popular words
circumscribe — circumscribable, adj. circumscriber, n. /serr keuhm skruyb , serr keuhm skruyb /, v.t., circumscribed, circumscribing. 1. to draw a line around; encircle: to circumscribe a city on a map. 2. to enclose within bounds; limit or confine, esp.… … Universalium
circumscribe — UK [ˈsɜː(r)kəmˌskraɪb] / US [ˈsɜrkəmˌskraɪb] verb [transitive] Word forms circumscribe : present tense I/you/we/they circumscribe he/she/it circumscribes present participle circumscribing past tense circumscribed past participle circumscribed 1)… … English dictionary
circumscribe — 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 … New Collegiate Dictionary
