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circumscribe

Syllabification: (cir·cum·scribe)
Pronunciation: /ˈsərkəmˌskrīb/

Definition of circumscribe

verb

[with object]
  • 1restrict (something) within limits:their movements were strictly monitored and circumscribed
  • 2 Geometry draw (a figure) around another, touching it at points but not cutting it. Compare with inscribe.

Derivatives

circumscriber

noun

circumscription

Pronunciation: /ˌsərkəmˈskripSHən/

noun

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin circumscribere, from circum 'around' + scribere 'write'

circumscribe in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of circumscribe in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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