circumscription

[ sur-kuhm-skrip-shuhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of circumscribing.
2. circumscribed state; limitation.
3. anything that circumscribes, surrounds, or encloses; boundary.
4. periphery; outline.
5. a circumscribed area.
6. a circular inscription on a coin, seal, etc.
7. limitation of a meaning; definition.

circumscription

/ ˌsɜːkəmˈskrɪpʃən /

noun

1. the act of circumscribing or the state of being circumscribed
2. something that limits or encloses
3. a circumscribed space
4. an inscription around a coin or medal

Derived Forms

• ˌcircumˈscriptive, adjective
• ˌcircumˈscriptively, adverb

Other Words From

• circum·scriptive adjective
• circum·scriptive·ly adverb
• noncir·cum·scriptive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumscription¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin circumscrīptiōn- (stem of circumscrīptiō ), equivalent to circumscrīpt ( us ) (past participle of circumscrībere to circumscribe; circum-, script ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Of that mystery, of that local circumscription—in what sense it was effected, in what sense not effected, we know nothing.

From Project Gutenberg

Aveyron belongs to the 16th military region, and to the acadmie or educational circumscription of Toulouse.

From Project Gutenberg

One short distribution and circumscription of historical ages will soon place matters in a more hopeful aspect.

From Project Gutenberg

The defect in the work of the Dialect Society lies in a somewhat similar circumscription of activity.

From Project Gutenberg

In educational matters it falls within the circumscription of the acadmie of Toulouse.

From Project Gutenberg