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>