circumscription

[ sur-kuh m-skrip-shuh n ]

/ ˌsɜr kəmˈskrɪp ʃən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR circumscription ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an act or instance of circumscribing.

circumscribed state; limitation.

anything that circumscribes, surrounds, or encloses; boundary.

periphery; outline.

a circumscribed area.

a circular inscription on a coin, seal, etc.

limitation of a meaning; definition.

Nearby words

circumscribe, circumscribed, circumscribed myxedema, circumscribed scleroderma, circumscript, circumscription, circumsolar, circumspect, circumspection, circumspective, circumstance

Origin of circumscription

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

Related forms

cir·cum·scrip·tive, adjectivecir·cum·scrip·tive·ly, adverbnon·cir·cum·scrip·tive, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for circumscription

One short distribution and circumscription of historical ages will soon place matters in a more hopeful aspect.
The Posthumous Works of Thomas De Quincey, Vol. II (2 vols)|Thomas De Quincey
In educational matters it falls within the circumscription of the acadmie of Toulouse.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 1|Various
Every passer-by might note the limit and circumscription dividing the new place from the ancient seat of the lords of the manor.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXVI. October, 1843. Vol. LIV.|Various
They were sensible that this province admitted not of any exact boundary or circumscription.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.I., Part D.|David Hume

Thus in measure as the Referendum comes into play does the circumscription practicing it become a complete community.
Direct Legislation by the Citizenship through the Initiative and Referendum|James W. Sullivan

British Dictionary definitions for circumscription