Circumscribe
/ˈsɜːrkəmˌskraɪb/
verbC1
Definition
Circumscribe means to set limits or borders around something, often to control or restrict it. It can also mean to draw a line or shape around another shape so that the outer shape just touches the inner one without crossing it. In everyday use, it often means to keep something within certain limits.
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See It in Action
To limit or control something by setting clear boundaries
- •The law circumscribes the powers of the government.
- •Her activities were circumscribed by strict rules.
- •The company's spending was circumscribed to avoid debt.
To draw a shape around another shape touching it at points without crossing
- •The circle circumscribes the triangle perfectly.
- •In geometry, a circumscribed circle touches all the corners of a polygon.
- •The square was circumscribed by a larger circle.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "circumscribe" like "limit" or "draw a circle around," but with a formal or exact meaning of making a clear border.
- ✓Picture drawing a circle around a small dot on paper, so the dot stays inside but the circle does not cover more than needed.
- ✓It's like when a teacher tells students they can only talk during certain times—setting clear rules or limits.
- ✓Sounds like "sir-kum-SCRIBE" → imagine a "scribe" (writer) carefully drawing lines around an area to keep things inside.
- ✓Think of a fence around a garden that keeps the plants safe and stops animals from coming in—this fence circumscribes the garden.
- ✓NOT like "surround" (which means going all around, maybe without clear limits); circumscribe means exact, clear borders.
- ✓NOT like "restrict" in a harsh way; circumscribe can be neutral, just setting clear limits.
- ✓In geometry, circumscribe means to draw one shape exactly around another, like a circle around a triangle touching all corners.
Try Other Words
- •Restrict: to keep within limits, often stricter or harsher (Use when emphasizing control or reduction)
- •Confine: to keep inside a space or area (Use when something is physically or strictly kept inside)
- •Enclose: to surround or close off (Use when focusing on surrounding physically)
- •Define: to clearly state limits or boundaries (Use when focusing on explaining or describing limits)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "circum-" (around) + "scribe" (write, draw) → literally "write/draw around"
- •Etymology: From Latin "circumscribere," meaning to draw a line around something
- •Historical development: Used since the 15th century in English, originally meaning to draw lines around shapes; later extended to meaning setting limits or boundaries
- •Modern usage: Used in formal speech or writing to mean setting limits or drawing shapes around others, especially in law, rules, or geometry
Reflect & Connect
•How can circumscribing rules help or hurt personal freedom in different situations?
•Can you think of times when circumscribing something is necessary, and when it might feel too limiting?
Fill in the blanks
1.The new policy circumscribes ___ the amount of time employees can take off each year.
2.When a circle circumscribes a triangle, it ___ all the triangle's corners.
3.Her creativity was circumscribed ___ strict guidelines, so she couldn't try new ideas.
4.Unlike "surround," circumscribe means to set ___ boundaries, not just go all around.
5.The law circumscribes the government's power to ___ abuse.
6.To circumscribe a shape means to draw a line ___ it without crossing inside.
7.When rules circumscribe behavior, people often feel ___ or controlled.