environ

• POS: Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: en=vi=ron

CIDE DICTIONARY

environ, v. t. [F. environner, fr. environ about, thereabout; pref. en- (L. in) + OF. viron circle, circuit, fr. OF. & F. virer to turn, LL. virare to turn up and down, topsy-turvy. Cf. Veer.].

 To surround; to encompass; to encircle; to hem in; to be round about; to involve or envelop.  [1913 Webster]
"Dwelling in a pleasant glade,
With mountains round about environed."  [1913 Webster]
"Environed he was with many foes."  [1913 Webster]
"Environ me with darkness whilst I write."  [1913 Webster]

environ, adv. [F.].

 About; around.  [1913 Webster]
"Lord Godfrey's eye three times environ goes."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

environ, v.tr. encircle, surround (esp. hostilely or protectively).

Etymology

ME f. OF environer f. environ surroundings f. en in + viron circuit f. virer turn, VEER(1)

ROGET THESAURUS

environ

Circumjacence

VB lie around, surround, beset, compass, encompass, environ, inclose, enclose, encircle, embrace, circumvent, lap, gird, belt, begird, engird, skirt, twine round, hem in.