surround

 
Pronunciation: /səˈraʊnd/

verb

[with object]
  • be all round (someone or something): the hotel is surrounded by its own gardens figurative he loves to surround himself with family and friends
  • (of troops, police, etc.) encircle (someone or something) so as to cut off communication or escape: troops surrounded the parliament building
  • be associated with: the killings were surrounded by controversy

noun

  • a thing that forms a border or edging around an object: an oak fireplace surround
  • (usually surrounds) the area encircling something; surroundings: the beautiful surrounds of Connemara

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'overflow'): from Old French souronder, from late Latin superundare, from super- 'over' + undare 'to flow' (from unda 'a wave'); later associated with round. Current senses of the noun date from the late 19th century