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encircle

[en-sur-kuh l]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR encircle ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), en·cir·cled, en·cir·cling.

to form a circle around; surround; encompass: to encircle an enemy.
to make a circling movement around; make the circuit of.

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RELATED WORDS

encompass, enclose, surround, envelop, enfold, invest, cover, girdle, band, environ, circuit, compass, circle, ring, wreathe, inclose, cincture, halo, begird

Nearby words

  1. enchoric,
  2. encina,
  3. encina, juan del,
  4. encincture,
  5. encipher,
  6. encke,
  7. encke's comet,
  8. encke's division,
  9. encl.,
  10. enclasp

Origin of encircle

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at en-1, circle
Related formsen·cir·cle·ment, nounun·en·cir·cled, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for encircle

British Dictionary definitions for encircle

encircle

verb

(tr) to form a circle around; enclose within a circle; surround
Derived Formsencirclement, nounencircling, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for encircle

encircle

v.

c.1400, from en- (1) "make, put in" + circle. Related: Encircled; encircling; encirclement.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper