circumscribe etymology

Etymology

The word "circumscribe" comes from the Latin "circumscribere," meaning "to draw a line around." It is derived from the prefix "circum-," meaning "around," and the verb "scribere," meaning "to write."

Meaning

• To draw a line or boundary around something
• To limit, restrict, or confine
• To define or describe the limits of something
• To include or encompass

Origin

The Latin word "circumscribere" was first used in the 1st century BC by the Roman writer Cicero. It was subsequently adopted into English in the 14th century.

Usage Examples

• The circle circumscribes the square.
• The government has circumscribed the rights of free speech.
• The author circumscribes the main themes of the novel in the introduction.
• The walls circumscribe the city, protecting it from invaders.

circumscribe relate terms

• circumscription

  Etymology Latin circumscribere to draw a line around Components Circum around

• circumscribe

  Etymology The word circumscribe comes from the Latin circumscribere meaning to draw

• circum

  Etymology The word circum comes from the Latin word circum which means around or

• circus

  Etymology The word circus derives from the Latin word circus which means ring or

• limit

  Etymology The word limit comes from the Latin word limes which originally meant bou

• ration

  Etymology The word ration comes from the Latin term ratio which means a fixed propo

• curb

  Meaning A word or phrase that has been altered in pronunciation and meaning by folk etymo

• content

  Etymology of content Latin continere to restrain hold together French conteni

• ward

  Etymology The word ward originates from the Old English word wearde meaning watchma

• draw

  Etymology The word etymology is derived from the Greek words étymon which means tr

• line

  Etymology The word line originates from the Old French word ligne which in turn deri

• limited

  Etymology From Middle English limiten from Latin līmitāre to bound fix a limit f

• decrease

  Etymology Middle English decressen from Old French decroistre from Late Latin decr