Circumscribe /(?)/

Cir·cum·scribe

Circumscribe

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Circumscribed; p. pr. & vb. n. Circumscribing

  1. to write or engrave around. [R.]
    Thereon is circumscribed this epitaph.
    — Ashmole.
  2. To inclose within a certain limit; to hem in; to surround; to bound; to confine; to restrain.
    To circumscribe royal power.
  3. To draw a line around so as to touch at certain points without cutting. See Inscribe, 5. (Geom.)