circumscribe
verb (used with object)
to draw a line around; encircle.
had circumscribed
-
past perfectof circumscribe.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When the old walls which had circumscribed man's mind became so crumbled as to allow of egress, individuals broke through them and revelled in the freedom of intelligent thought.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 18, No. 108, October, 1866 by Various
The pride which had held him aloof so long from his brother rose up again, that ruling passion which a struggling life had circumscribed.
From Mattie:?A Stray (Vol 2 of 3) by Frederick William Robinson
Mrs. Bowen had circumscribed the adventure so as to exclude dancing from it.
From Indian Summer by William Dean Howells
Speculative philosophy could therefore no further advance; it could not pass that inviolable circle which had circumscribed the universal knowledge of the human race.
From Amenities of Literature Consisting of Sketches and Characters of English Literature by Isaac Disraeli
