circumscribe
verb
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To circumscribe something is to limit its size, activity, or range, but the range of influence of the Latin ancestors of circumscribe knows no bounds. Circumscribe comes via Middle English from the Latin verb circumscribere (which roughly translates as “to draw a circle around”), which in turn comes from circum-, meaning “circle,” and scribere, meaning “to write or draw.” Among the many descendants of circum- are circuit, circumference, circumnavigate, circumspect, circumstance, and circumvent. Scribere gave us such words as scribe and scribble, as well as ascribe, describe, and transcribe, among others.
Examples of circumscribe in a Sentence
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024
But even then, the building’s age circumscribed what NBT could do with it—and, by extension, its possibilities as a company.
—Marley Marius, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2024
For some offices, such as those at the Department of Homeland Security, the president’s latitude to designate acting officials under the Vacancies Act has been circumscribed by additional statutes and regulations.
—Theo Milonopoulos, Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 2023
At the same time, my role had become more clearly defined and circumscribed.
—Matthew Klam, The New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for circumscribe 
Dictionary Entries Near circumscribe
Cite this Entry
“Circumscribe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circumscribe. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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circumscribe
verb
from Latin circumscribere "to draw a line around, set limits to," from circum "around" and scribere "to write, draw" — related to scribe
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