environ

¹ American  

[en-vahy-ruhn, -vahy-ern] / ɛnˈvaɪ rən, -ˈvaɪ ərn /

verb (used with object)

1. to form a circle or ring round; surround; envelop.

   a house environed by pleasant grounds; to be environed by bad influences.

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environ. ² American  

abbreviation

1. environment.

2. environmental.

3. environmentalism.

4. environmentalist.

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environ British  

/ ɪnˈvaɪrən /

verb

1. (tr) to encircle or surround

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Other Word Forms

• unenvironed adjective

Etymology

Origin of environ

1300–50; Middle English envirounen < Old French environner, derivative of environ around ( en en- ¹ + viron a circle; vir ( er ) to turn, veer ¹ + -on noun suffix)

Example Sentences

The Beach Boys song remains familiar and hummable, but not overly so; it’s warm and inviting, even as it picks up in cadence and transports you to a smooth new environ.

From Washington Post • Dec. 29, 2021

Wouldn't they be more at home in a more rural environ?

From New York Times • Feb. 5, 2018

As part of this environ, 5 to 7 percent of the faculty and about 5 percent of the staff is volunteers performing service.

From Slate • Jul. 15, 2015

On a gray night, with smoke rising from the manholes, the environ looked film-noir-esque from the window view.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 5, 2015

"Now with hammer and tongs you may right all the wrongs That environ the human soul; But first, you must smite with a Vulcan's might The heart in yon blistering bowl."

From Caxton's Book: A Collection of Essays, Poems, Tales, and Sketches. by Rhodes, W. H. (William Henry)