circumscribe C2+ Topic:Space, Position & Direction US /ˈsɚkəmˌskraɪb/ UK /ˈsɜːkəmˌskraɪb/ See IPA manual Meanings 1 verb to restrict within limits; to draw a line around Strict regulations circumscribe what the agency may lawfully do. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 verb · to restrict within limits;... restrictlimitconfineboundconstrainencircledelimit ↔ Opposites expandextendenlargeliberate Word family Forms circumscribed Derived forms circumscriptioncircumscribed Related forms scribedescribeinscribeprescribe Etymology AI details From Latin circumscribere ('to draw a line around, restrict'), from circum ('around') + scribere ('to write, draw'). circum Latin scribere Latin View etymology graph -> Topics Space, Position & Direction External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # circumscribe **Type:** Word **Level:** C2+ **Part of speech:** verb **IPA (US):** /ˈsɚkəmˌskraɪb/ **IPA (UK):** /ˈsɜːkəmˌskraɪb/ ## Meanings 1. to restrict within limits; to draw a line around ## Examples - Strict regulations circumscribe what the agency may lawfully do. ## Synonyms - restrict - limit - confine - bound - constrain - encircle - delimit ## Antonyms - expand - extend - enlarge - liberate ## Derived Forms - circumscription - circumscribed ## Related Forms - scribe - describe - inscribe - prescribe ## Roots and Affixes - Root: circum - Root: scribere ## Etymology From Latin circumscribere ('to draw a line around, restrict'), from circum ('around') + scribere ('to write, draw'). ## AI Etymology Circumscribe is a verb meaning "to restrict within limits; to draw a line around". Historically, it is from Latin circumscribere ('to draw a line around, restrict'), from circum ('around') + scribere ('to write, draw'). The visible construction is part of the etymology: circumscribe is not just an unanalyzed simple word. The historical chain links Latin circum with Latin scribere. Close English family members include circumscription, circumscribed, scribe, describe, and inscribe. ## Topics - Space, Position & Direction markdown