cir|cum|scribe

cir|cum|scribe
cir|cum|scribe «SUR kuhm SKRYB, SUR kuhm skryb», transitive verb, -scribed, -scrib|ing.
1. to draw a line around; mark the boundaries of; bound: »

The horizon circumscribed the sailor's view.

2. to surround: »

the atmosphere circumscribing the earth.

3. Figurative. to put limits on; restrict: »

A prisoner's activities are circumscribed.

SYNONYM(S): confine, limit, restrain, abridge.
4. a) to draw (a figure) around another figure so as to touch as many points as possible: »

A circle that is circumscribed around a square touches it at four points.

b) to be so drawn around: »

A circle can circumscribe a hexagon.

[< Latin circumscrībere (literally) draw a circumference < circum around + scrībere write]
cir´cum|scrib´a|ble, adjective.
cir´cum|scrib´er, noun.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • cir·cum·scribe — …   Useful english dictionary

  • cir´cum|scrib´er — cir|cum|scribe «SUR kuhm SKRYB, SUR kuhm skryb», transitive verb, scribed, scrib|ing. 1. to draw a line around; mark the boundaries of; bound: »The horizon circumscribed the sailor s view. 2. to surround: »the atmosphere circumscribing the earth …   Useful english dictionary

  • cir´cum|scrib´a|ble — cir|cum|scribe «SUR kuhm SKRYB, SUR kuhm skryb», transitive verb, scribed, scrib|ing. 1. to draw a line around; mark the boundaries of; bound: »The horizon circumscribed the sailor s view. 2. to surround: »the atmosphere circumscribing the earth …   Useful english dictionary

  • cir — cir; cir·caea; cir·ce·an; cir·cen·sian; cir·ci·nate; cir·ci·ter; cir·clet; cir·cuit·al; cir·cui·teer; cir·cuit·er; cir·cu·i·tion; cir·cuit·or; cir·cu·i·tous; cir·cu·i·ty; cir·cu·lant; cir·cu·lar·i·ty; cir·cu·lar·i·za·tion; cir·cu·lar·ize;… …   English syllables

  • scribe — cir·cum·scribe; con·scribe; de·scribe; in·scribe; mis·de·scribe; pre·scribe; pro·scribe; re·scribe; sub·scribe; su·per·scribe; scribe; tran·scribe; …   English syllables

  • circumscribe — cir·cum·scribe …   English syllables

  • circumscribe — cir•cum•scribe [[t]ˈsɜr kəmˌskraɪb, ˌsɜr kəmˈskraɪb[/t]] v. t. scribed, scrib•ing 1) to draw a line around; encircle 2) to enclose within bounds, esp. narrow ones; restrict 3) to mark off; define; delimit 4) math. a) to draw (a figure) around… …   From formal English to slang

  • circumscribe — cir|cum|scribe [ sɜrkəm,skraıb ] verb transitive 1. ) usually passive to limit something such as power, rights, or opportunities: Armstrong was the company president, though his powers were circumscribed. 2. ) TECHNICAL to draw a line around… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • circumscribe — cir|cum|scribe [ˈsə:kəmskraıb US ˈsə:r ] v [T] [Date: 1300 1400; : Latin; Origin: circumscribere, from circum ( CIRCUM ) + scribere to write, draw ] 1.) [often passive] formal to limit power, rights, or abilities = ↑restrict ▪ The President s… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Circumscribe — Cir cum*scribe , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Circumscribed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Circumscribing}.] [L. circumscribere, scriptum; circum + scribere to write, draw. See {Soribe}.] [1913 Webster] 1. to write or engrave around. [R.] [1913 Webster] Thereon is… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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