Meaning & use
circumscribe
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To set firm limits on what something may do or reach, such as power, freedom or activity.
Grammar: Takes an object and often appears in the passive: her role was narrowly circumscribed.
Patterns
- circumscribe something
- be circumscribed by something
The new law circumscribes the powers of the mayor.
Strict rules circumscribed what the volunteers could do.
Her options were circumscribed by a tight budget.
verbtransitivemathematics
To draw a shape around another shape so that it just touches it at every corner or point.
Grammar: A geometry term: circumscribe a circle about a triangle.
Patterns
- circumscribe something about/around something
Students learned to circumscribe a circle around a triangle.
The architect circumscribed a square around the circular plan.
A polygon can be circumscribed around a circle.
Word forms
| third person singular | circumscribes |
|---|---|
| past tense | circumscribed |
| past participle | circumscribed |
| -ing form | circumscribing |
Common combinations
- circumscribe the powers
- The constitution circumscribes the powers of the president.
- narrowly circumscribed
- The inspector's authority was narrowly circumscribed.
- tightly circumscribed
- Her freedom was tightly circumscribed by family rules.
- circumscribe a circle
- Circumscribe a circle around the triangle.
- circumscribed role
- He accepted a circumscribed role on the committee.
Synonyms and how they differ
- restrict
- Restrict is the everyday word and can apply to any limit, whereas circumscribe suggests a defined boundary line.
- confine
- Confine suggests keeping someone or something inside a space, with a feeling of being shut in.
- delimit
- Delimit means to mark or fix the boundaries of something and need not suggest a restriction.
- limit
- Limit is the plainest and most common word, with none of circumscribe's formal tone.
Opposites
Word family
- circumscription noun
- the act of limiting, or a boundary
- circumscribed adjective
- restricted within limits
- inscribe verb
- to draw a shape inside another so it touches at points
Commonly confused: circumscribe or circumspect? circumscribe or circumvent?
circumscribe vs circumspect
Circumspect means careful and cautious about risks, whereas circumscribe means to set limits.
circumscribe vs circumvent
Circumvent means to get around a rule, almost the opposite of circumscribe, which means to set limits.
Practice
The contract circumscribes the agent's authority. What does this mean?
Choose one answer.
Circumscribe means to draw limits around something. It does not enlarge, end or hide authority.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “circumscribe”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.