circumscribe

/sˈɜːkəmskɹˌa‍ɪb/

/ˌsɝkəmsˈkɹaɪb/

to circumscribe

MAIN VERB

to limit the power, freedom, or activity of something to a set of boundaries

synonyms : confine to

to draw a line around something

to draw a geometric figure around another figure so that the two are in contact but do not intersect

Examples

1. Stringent rules would essentially circumscribe the range of colors.

2. OK, a square is circumscribed about a circle.

3. This revolutionary insight in social theory was circumscribed by a series of illusions that compromised its force.

4. If the period saw a real expansion of educational opportunity, access to it was almost inevitably socially circumscribed.