Word Study
circumscribe
CIDE DICTIONARY
circumscribe, v. t. [L. circumscribere, -scriptum; circum + scribere to write, draw. See Soribe.].
- to write or engrave around. [1913 Webster]"Thereon is circumscribed this epitaph." [1913 Webster]
- To inclose within a certain limit; to hem in; to surround; to bound; to confine; to restrain. [1913 Webster]"To circumscribe royal power." [1913 Webster]
- 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.
OXFORD DICTIONARY
circumscribe, v.tr.
1 (of a line etc.) enclose or outline.
2 lay down the limits of; confine, restrict.
3 Geom. draw (a figure) round another, touching it at points but not cutting it (cf. INSCRIBE).
1 (of a line etc.) enclose or outline.
2 lay down the limits of; confine, restrict.
3 Geom. draw (a figure) round another, touching it at points but not cutting it (cf. INSCRIBE).
Derivative
circumscribable adj. circumscriber n. circumscription n.
Etymology
L circumscribere (as CIRCUM-, scribere script- write)
THESAURUS
circumscribe
abate, abbreviate, adjust to, alter, assuage, bar, bound, box, box in, box up, circle in, coarct, compact, compress, concentrate, condense, condition, confine, consolidate, constrict, constringe, contract, cramp, curtail, decrease, define, delimit, delimitate, demarcate, determine, diminish, divide, draw, draw in, draw together, enclose, fetter, fix, hamper, hedge, hedge about, hem, hem in, keep from spreading, keep within bounds, knit, lay off, leaven, limit, localize, mark boundaries, mark off, mark out, mark the periphery, mitigate, moderate, modify, modulate, narrow, palliate, pucker, pucker up, purse, qualify, reduce, regulate by, restrain, restrict, rope off, season, separate, set conditions, set limits, set the limit, shorten, soften, solidify, specify, stake out, stint, strangle, strangulate, surround, temper, tighten, trammel, wrinkleROGET THESAURUS
circumscribe
Prohibition
VB prohibit, inhibit, forbid, put one's veto upon, disallow, enjoin, ban, outlaw, taboo, proscribe, estop, bar, debar, forefend, keep in, keep within bounds, restrain, cohibit, withhold, limit, circumscribe, clip the wings of, restrict, interdict, taboo, put under an interdiction, place under an interdiction, put under the ban, place under the ban, proscribe, exclude, shut out, shut the door, bolt the door, show the door, warn off, dash the cup from one's lips, forbid the banns.Contraction
VB become small, become smaller, lessen, decrease, grow less, dwindle, shrink, contract, narrow, shrivel, collapse, wither, lose flesh, wizen, fall away, waste, wane, ebb, decay, be smaller than, fall short of, not come up to, render smaller, lessen, diminish, contract, draw in, narrow, coarctate, boil down, constrict, constringe, condense, compress, squeeze, corrugate, crimp, crunch, crush, crumple up, warp, purse up, pack, squeeze, stow, pinch, tighten, strangle, cramp, dwarf, bedwarf, shorten, circumscribe, restrain, (subtraction) 38 abrade, pare, reduce, attenuate, rub down, scrape, file, file down, grind, grind down, chip, shave, shear, wear down.Circumscription
VB circumscribe, limit, bound, confine, inclose, surround, compass about, imprison, hedge in, wall in, rail in, fence round, fence in, hedge round, picket, corral, enfold, bury, encase, incase, pack up, enshrine, inclasp, wrap up, embay, embosom, containment (inclusion).Inclosure
VB inclose, circumscribe.For further exploring for "circumscribe" in Webster Dictionary Online
