circumscribe

cir·cum·scribe  (sûrkm-skrb)

tr.v. cir·cum·scribed, cir·cum·scrib·ing, cir·cum·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.

a. 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.

b. To erect (such a configuration) around a polygon or polyhedron: circumscribe a circle around a square.

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[Middle English circumscriben, from Latin circumscrbere : circum-, circum- + scrbere, to write; see skrbh- in Indo-European roots.]

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circum·scriba·ble adj.

circum·scriber n.

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circumscribe

Verb

[-scribing, -scribed]

1. Formal to limit or restrict within certain boundaries: the President's powers are circumscribed by the Constitution

2. Geom to draw a geometric figure around (another figure) so that the two are in contact but do not intersect [Latin circum- + scribere to write]

circumscription n

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circumscribe  (sûrkm-skrb)

To draw a figure around another figure so as to touch as many points as possible. A circle that is circumscribed around a triangle touches it at each of the triangle's three vertices.

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	circumscribe - draw a line around; "He drew a circle around the points" trace, describe, draw, line, delineate - make a mark or lines on a surface; "draw a line"; "trace the outline of a figure in the sand" circumscribe - to draw a geometric figure around another figure so that the two are in contact but do not intersect
	2.	circumscribe - restrict or confine, "I limit you to two visits to the pub a day" confine, limit hold down - restrain; "please hold down the noise so that the neighbors can sleep" keep down, number - place a limit on the number of cap - restrict the number or amount of; "We had to cap the number of people we can accept into our club" curtail, restrict, curb, cut back - place restrictions on; "curtail drinking in school" minify, decrease, lessen - make smaller; "He decreased his staff" delimitate, demarcate, delimit - set, mark, or draw the boundaries of something content - satisfy in a limited way; "He contented himself with one glass of beer per day" ration - restrict the consumption of a relatively scarce commodity, as during war; "Bread was rationed during the siege of the city"
	3.	circumscribe - to draw a geometric figure around another figure so that the two are in contact but do not intersect geometry - the pure mathematics of points and lines and curves and surfaces trace, describe, draw, line, delineate - make a mark or lines on a surface; "draw a line"; "trace the outline of a figure in the sand" circumscribe - draw a line around; "He drew a circle around the points"

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circumscribe

verb restrict, limit, define, confine, restrain, delineate, hem in, demarcate, delimit, straiten

Translations

circumscribe [ˈsəːkəmskraɪb] vt → circunscribir

circumscribe [ˈsəːkəmskraɪb] vt → circonscrire

circumscribe [ˈsəːkəmskraɪb] vt (Math) → einen Kreis umbeschreiben (fig); eingrenzen

circumscribe [ˈsəːkəmskraɪb] vt → circoscrivere;

(fig) (= limit); limitare