circumscribe

Verb

WordNet 3.0

Verb (3)

draw a line around“He drew a circle around the points”
restrict or confine, "I limit you to two visits to the pub a day"Synonyms: limit confine
to draw a geometric figure around another figure so that the two are in contact but do not intersect

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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.[1913 Webster]

2.To inclose within a certain limit; to hem in; to surround; to bound; to confine; to restrain. [1913 Webster]

To circumscribe royal power.— Bancroft.[1913 Webster]

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]