circumscription
noun
cir·cum·scrip·tion
ˌsər-kəm-ˈskrip-shən 
1
: the act of circumscribing : the state of being circumscribed: such as
a
: definition, delimitation
the circumscription of her duties
b
2
: something that circumscribes: such as
b
: restriction
a circumscription of his power to act
3
: a circumscribed area or district
Synonyms
Examples of circumscription in a Sentence
such circumscriptions on the freedom of speech are antithetical to a free and open society
electronic monitoring bracelets are sometimes used to impose a circumscription of movement on people awaiting trial
Recent Examples on the Web
Conditions explicitly accounted by our model include warfare, circumscription, variation in productivity between different local communities, ability to generate surpluses, ability to delegate power, and restrictions on the growth of polities due to scalar stress.
—
Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2011
That said, the impact of Mr. Cervas’s circumscription has already been profound, creating the likelihood of highly competitive general-election campaigns from Long Island to upstate New York.
—New York Times, 28 May 2022
Longtime readers of the site, though, have noted that the site no longer functions this way, in part because the Internet isn’t currently a space conducive to blinders and circumscription.
—Ross Scarano, Billboard, 6 May 2019
REM candidates made the second round in 453 circumscriptions and its MoDem allies qualified in another 62.
—Gregory Viscusi, Bloomberg.com, 18 June 2017
Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2011
That said, the impact of Mr. Cervas’s circumscription has already been profound, creating the likelihood of highly competitive general-election campaigns from Long Island to upstate New York.
—New York Times, 28 May 2022
Longtime readers of the site, though, have noted that the site no longer functions this way, in part because the Internet isn’t currently a space conducive to blinders and circumscription.
—Ross Scarano, Billboard, 6 May 2019
REM candidates made the second round in 453 circumscriptions and its MoDem allies qualified in another 62.
—Gregory Viscusi, Bloomberg.com, 18 June 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'circumscription.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Latin circumscription-, circumscriptio, from circumscribere
First Known Use
1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near circumscription
Cite this Entry
“Circumscription.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circumscription. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.
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