Main Entry: ¹sur·round

Pronunciation: \sə-ˈrau̇nd\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Middle English, to flood, inundate, from Anglo-French surunder, from Late Latin superundare, to overflow, from Latin super- + unda wave; influenced in meaning by ⁵round — more at water

Date: circa 1616

1 a (1) : to enclose on all sides : envelop <the crowd surrounded her> (2) : to enclose so as to cut off communication or retreat : invest b : to form or be a member of the entourage of <flatterers who surround the king> c : to constitute part of the environment of <surrounded by poverty> d : to extend around the margin or edge of : encircle <a wall surrounds the old city>
2 : to cause to be surrounded by something <surrounded himself with friends>