circumscribe

动词 circumscribe:

1. draw a line around
2. restrict or confine, "I limit you to two visits to the pub a day"
   同义词：limit, confine
3. to draw a geometric figure around another figure so that the two are in contact but do not intersect

cir.cum.scribe

v.tr.（及物动词）
cir.cum.scribed,cir.cum.scrib.ing,cir.cum.scribes
To draw a line around; encircle.
划一条线包围；围绕
To limit narrowly; restrict.
狭窄地限定；限制
To determine the limits of; define.See Synonyms at limit
确定…的范围；下定义参见 limit

To enclose (a polygon or polyhedron) within a configuration of lines, curves, or surfaces so that every vertex of the enclosed object is incident on the enclosing configuration.
外接圆：用直线、曲线或面的结构围绕（多边形或多面体），使被包围物的每个顶点都内接于该结构
To erect (such a configuration) around a polygon or polyhedron:
使外接于…：确定（这样一个结构）围绕一个多边形或多面体：
例句：
circumscribe a circle around a square.
正方形的外接圆

来源：
Middle English circumscriben
中古英语 circumscriben
from Latin circumscrobere
源自 拉丁语 circumscrobere
circum- [circum-]
circum- [前缀，表.环绕.]
scrobere [to write] * see skrobh-
scrobere [写] *参见 skrobh-

【引伸】
cir.cumscrib.able
adj.（形容词）
cir.cumscrib.er
n.（名词）