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circumscribe JUST WRITTEN FOR YOU

/ˌsɜːrkəmˈskaɪb/ · cir·cum·scribe
verb
  1. To draw a line around; to encircle The artist will circumscribe the shape with a bold line to define its edges.
  2. To limit narrowly; to restrict The new policy will circumscribe the amount of time employees can spend on personal projects during work hours.
  3. To draw the smallest circle or higher-dimensional sphere that has a polyhedron, polygon, etc. in its interior Mathematicians use algorithms to circumscribe polygons and understand their geometric properties.
Did you know? The word 'circumscribe' has been used in English since the 15th century, initially in geometric contexts, and its usage has expanded over time to include metaphorical senses, reflecting the human tendency to set boundaries and define spaces, both physically and conceptually.
Written by Lexi Wordsworth, Dictionary Editor 0 lookups Added Jul 22, 2026