circumscribe

tr.v., -scribed, -scrib·ing, -scribes.

1. To draw a line around; encircle.
2. To limit narrowly; restrict.
3. To determine the limits of; define. See synonyms at limit.
4. 1. To enclose (a polygon or polyhedron) within a configuration of lines, curves, or surfaces so that every vertex of the enclosed object is incident on the enclosing configuration.
   2. To erect (such a configuration) around a polygon or polyhedron: circumscribe a circle around a square.

[Middle English circumscriben, from Latin circumscrībere : circum-, circum- + scrībere, to write.]

circumscribable cir'cum·scrib'a·ble adj.
circumscriber cir'cum·scrib'er n.

(SUHR-kuhm-skryb)

verb tr.
To draw a line around, to enclose within bounds, to limit or restrict.

Etymology
From Latin circumscribere, from circum- (around) + scribere (to write). Ultimately from the Indo-European root skribh- (to cut, separate, or sift) that has resulted in other terms such as manuscript, subscribe, scripture, scribble, describe, circumflex, and circumspect

Usage
"[Michael Bywater] points up the paradox by which we must be allowed to buy and have anything we want, but, because of the dangers inherent in such freedom, must then have our lives circumscribed by endless rules, signs, barriers, alarms, apologies, warnings, protective headgear ..." — Tentative Trip to the Old Country; The Times (London, UK); Nov 4, 2006.

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verb

To place a limit on: confine, limit, restrict. See limited/unlimited.

v

Definition: mark off, delimit
Antonyms: free, loose, open

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Bounded or limited; confined to a limited space.

IN BRIEF: To draw line around. Also: To hold within limits.

The artist will circumscribe the painting with just one red line.

Dansk (Danish)
v. tr. - omgive, afgrænse, indskrænke, omskrive

Nederlands (Dutch)
beperken, omcirkelen

Français (French)
v. tr. - limiter, circonscrire, (Math) circonscrire

Deutsch (German)
v. - einschränken, eingrenzen, umschreiben

Ελληνική (Greek)
v. - περιγράφω (κύκλο)

Italiano (Italian)
circoscrivere, limitare, restringere

Português (Portuguese)
v. - circunscrever, abranger, limitar

Русский (Russian)
ограничивать, обводить кружком

Español (Spanish)
v. tr. - limitar, restringir, circunscribir

Svenska (Swedish)
v. - begränsa, rita en cirkel kring

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
在...周围画线, 限制

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
v. tr. - 在...周圍畫線, 限制

한국어 (Korean)
v. tr. - 주위에 경계선을 긋다, 제한하다

日本語 (Japanese)
v. - 周りに線を引く, 制限する, 外接させる

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(فعل) حصر ضمن دائرة, حدد‏

עברית (Hebrew)
v. tr. - ‮הקיף, הגביל‬

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