Vocabulary in context
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Circumscribe
To draw a line around; to enclose or surround; or to confine within defined bounds.
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Imagine This
The teacher punished the naughty student by drawing a circle in the playground, and instructed him to confine (stay) inside the circle for one hour after school.
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Sounds Like
SUR-kum-SKRAHYB
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Looks Like
circum-scribe (circum + scribe); resembles the compound of circum- meaning around and scribe meaning to write
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Remember This
Circ- relates to circle; circumscribe shares roots with circumference and circumnavigate, all meaning around or enclosing.
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Other Forms
circumscribeverb
circumscribedverb
circumscribingverb
circumscribesverb
circumscriptionnoun
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Connect With
enclose, surround, bound, restrict
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Note
Be careful not to confuse circumscribe with circumcise (unrelated) or circumnavigate (to go around). Circumscribe means to draw a boundary around or to confine within limits.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The surveyor circumscribed a circle around the property to mark its boundaries.
- Constitutional law circumscribes the powers of the executive branch.
Synonyms
enclosesurroundboundrestrictlimit
Antonyms
liberatereleaseopen up
Etymology
From Latin circum- meaning around + scribere meaning to write
Mnemonic
Circle around it: think of circumscribe as circ- (circle) + scribe (write around); you draw around to create a boundary.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
Absolve
verbTo free someone from blame or responsibility; to pardon or exonerate.
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