circumvallate

1 of 3

verb

cir·​cum·​val·​late ˌsər-kəm-ˈva-ˌlāt 

circumvallated; circumvallating

transitive verb

: to surround by or as if by a rampart

circumvallation

ˌsər-kəm-ˌva-ˈlā-shən 

noun

circumvallate

2 of 3

adjective

cir·​cum·​val·​late ˌsər-kəm-ˈva-ˌlāt 

-ˈva-lət

: being any of approximately 12 large papillae near the back of the tongue each of which is surrounded with a marginal sulcus and supplied with taste buds responsive especially to bitter flavors

circumvallation

3 of 3

noun

cir·​cum·​val·​la·​tion ˌsər-kəm-ˌva-ˈlā-shən 

plural -s

1

: the act of circumvallating

2

: something that circumvallates

especially : ramparts or entrenchments around a besieged place or a besieging army

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin circumvallatus, past participle of circumvallare to surround with siege works, from circum- + vallum rampart — more at wall

Noun

Latin circumvallatus + English -ion

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1798, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1852, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for circumvallate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Medical Definition

circumvallate

adjective

cir·​cum·​val·​late ˌsər-kəm-ˈval-ˌāt, -ˈval-ət 

: enclosed by a ridge of tissue