encompass

[ en-kuhm-puh s ]

/ ɛnˈkʌm pəs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR encompass ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to form a circle about; encircle; surround: He built a moat to encompass the castle.

to enclose; envelop: The folds of a great cloak encompassed her person.

to include comprehensively: a work that encompasses the entire range of the world's religious beliefs.

Obsolete. to outwit.

Nearby words

encoignure, encolpion, encomiast, encomienda, encomium, encompass, encopresis, encore, encounter, encounter group, encounter session

Origin of encompass

First recorded in 1545–55; en-¹ + compass

Related forms

en·com·pass·ment, nounun·en·com·passed, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for encompassed

They encompassed diversity of many kinds, sex-worker rights, and labor rights.
Organic, Fair-Trade Porn: On the Hunt for Ethical Smut|Rachel Kramer Bussel|April 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The exceptions carved out by the court “encompassed our entire agenda.”
Shooting Blanks|Adam Winkler|March 3, 2010|DAILY BEAST
When Dido came to Africa she bought of the natives "as much land as could be encompassed with a bull's hide."
Character Sketches of Romance, Fiction and the Drama, Vol 1|The Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D.
Prague is the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia, which, as if protected by nature, is encompassed round with high mountains.
Lives Of The Most Remarkable Criminals Who have been Condemned and Executed for Murder, the Highway, Housebreaking, Street Robberies, Coining or other offences|Arthur L. Hayward

The tribunal of Hellebicus and Caesarius, encompassed with armed soldiers, was erected in the midst of the Forum.
The History of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire|Edward Gibbon
He could not doubt it was encompassed by spies; he could not but attend the seizure, the crisis, the outcome.
"Persons Unknown"|Virginia Tracy
The peasants had encompassed all the footways, though they were mostly of a mind that the Earl had made off to his ships.
The Sagas of Olaf Tryggvason and of Harald The Tyrant (Harald Haardraade)|Snorri Sturluson

British Dictionary definitions for encompassed

encompass

/ (ɪnˈkʌmpəs) /

verb (tr)

to enclose within a circle; surround

to bring about; cause to happen; contrivehe encompassed the enemy's ruin

to include entirely or comprehensivelythis book encompasses the whole range of knowledge

Derived Forms

encompassment, noun

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

encompass

verb (used with object)

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Nearby words

Origin of encompass

Related forms

Examples from the Web for encompassed

British Dictionary definitions for encompassed

encompass

verb (tr)

Derived Forms