The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Circumscribe \Cir`cum*scribe"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
   Circumscribed; p. pr. & vb. n. Circumscribing.] [L.
   circumscribere, -scriptum; circum + scribere to write, draw.
   See Soribe.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. to write or engrave around. [R.]
      [1913 Webster]

            Thereon is circumscribed this epitaph. --Ashmole.
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   2. To inclose within a certain limit; to hem in; to surround;
      to bound; to confine; to restrain.
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            To circumscribe royal power.          --Bancroft.
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   3. (Geom.) To draw a line around so as to touch at certain
      points without cutting. See Inscribe, 5.

   Syn: To bound; limit; restrict; confine; abridge; restrain;
        environ; encircle; inclose; encompass.
        [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

circumscribe
    v 1: draw a line around; "He drew a circle around the points"
    2: restrict or confine, "I limit you to two visits to the pub a
       day" [syn: limit, circumscribe, confine]
    3: to draw a geometric figure around another figure so that the
       two are in contact but do not intersect