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circumscriptive

 - 2 dictionary results

cir⋅cum⋅scrip⋅tion

  [sur-kuhm-skrip-shuhn]
Use circumscriptive in a Sentence
–noun
1. an act or instance of circumscribing.
2. circumscribed state; limitation.
3. anything that circumscribes, surrounds, or encloses; boundary.
4. periphery; outline.
5. a circumscribed area.
6. a circular inscription on a coin, seal, etc.
7. limitation of a meaning; definition.
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME < L circumscrīptiōn- (s. of circumscrīptiō), equiv. to circumscrīpt(us) (ptp. of circumscrībere to circumscribe; see circum-, script ) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms:
cir⋅cum⋅scrip⋅tive, adjective
cir⋅cum⋅scrip⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To circumscriptive
cir·cum·scrip·tion   (sûr'kəm-skrĭp'shən)   
n.  

  1. The act of circumscribing or the state of being circumscribed.

  2. Something, such as a limit or restriction, that circumscribes.

  3. A circumscribed space or area.

  4. A circular inscription, as on a medallion.


[Latin circumscrīptiō, circumscrīptiōn-, from circumscrīptus, past participle of circumscrībere, to circumscribe; see circumscribe.]
cir'cum·scrip'tive adj., cir'cum·scrip'tive·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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