circumscribe

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The basis of this relation is, undoubtedly, a periodical recurrence of masses of ideas, which our voluntary determinations have, in one peculiar direction, no power to circumscribe or to arrest, and against the recurrence of which they can only imperfectly provide.

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Definitions (12)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (5)

  1. transitive verb To draw a line around; encircle.
  2. transitive verb To limit narrowly; restrict.
  3. transitive verb To determine the limits of; define. See Synonyms at limit.

Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (3)

Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (1)

Toggle WordNet definitions WordNet (3)

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Examples (50)

  • Reveals that the CIA sought to "circumscribe" a policy of humane detainee treatment "so as to limit its application to the CIA." —  American Torture
  • As far back as 1906 it is known, and can be proved by the files of New York papers, to say nothing of official correspondence now found in Brussels and elsewhere, that measures were started by England to circumscribe or isolate the German Empire, and treaties were entered between England, France, and Russia (the Triple Entente) to insure joint action against Germany when necessary Germany herself has been peaceful, progressive, and anxious to retain her position as a nation undisturbed by others, as a nation that should advance in art, in science, in population, and in all things that make happiness through peace. —  The New York Times Current History of the European War, Vol. 1, January 9, 1915 What Americans Say to Europe
  • The basis of this relation is, undoubtedly, a periodical recurrence of masses of ideas, which our voluntary determinations have, in one peculiar direction, no power to circumscribe or to arrest, and against the recurrence of which they can only imperfectly provide. —  A Defence of Poetry and Other Essays
  • The first step to be taken must be to endeavour to circumscribe their limits. —  Beric the Briton : a Story of the Roman Invasion
  • Nor fix on fond abodes to circumscribe thy prayer. " —  The Age of Fable
 

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Roget's II Roget's II: The New Thesaurus

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circumscribe:   circumscribed ·  circumscribing
Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Middle English circumscriben, from Latin circumscrībere : circum-, circum- + scrībere, to write; see skrībh- in Indo-European roots.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. from Middle English circumscrive = French circonscrire = Spanish circunscribir= Portuguese circumscrever = Italian circonscrivere, from Latin circumscribere, draw a line around, limit, from circum, around, + scribere, write, draw: see scribe, script, etc., and cf. ascribe, describe, inscribe, prescribe, proscribe, subscribe, etc.
 

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/sərkəmˈskraɪb/
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