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 [ˌsɜːkəmˈskraɪb ˈsɜːkəmˌskraɪb]

vb (tr)

1. to restrict within limits

2. to mark or set the bounds of

3. (Mathematics) to draw a geometric construction around (another construction) so that the two are in contact but do not intersect Compare inscribe [4]

4. to draw a line round

[from Latin circumscrībere, from circum- + scrībere to write]

circumscribable  adj

circumscriber  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 (Formal) restrict, limit, define, confine, restrain, delineate, hem in, demarcate, delimit, straiten The monarch's powers are circumscribed by Parliament.

Translations

circumscribe [ˈsɜːkəmskraɪb] VT (lit) → circunscribir (fig) (= limit) → limitar, restringir

circumscribe [ˈsɜː^rkəmskraɪb] vt (= limit) → limiter

circumscribe

vt

(Math) → einen Kreis umbeschreiben (+dat)

(= restrict) → eingrenzen

circumscribe [ˈsɜːkəmˌskraɪb] vt (limit) → limitare (Math) → circoscrivere