circumscribed 
its; narrow, as applied to the mind: specifi- 
cally, in piitlitil., applied to tumors whose bases 
are well defined mid distinct .from the surround- 
ing purls. 
Circumscriber (scr-kinn-skri'bcT), . One who 
or th:it which ciTOumscribes. 
circumscript (eVkum-skript), a. [= K. rim<- 
Kcril = Pg. circiuiisfri/ilii = It. i-in-misn-ittn, < 
L. cirriinim-i-i/itHx, pp. of cii-ciiiiixcrilx'i-c, circum- 
scribe: see circumscribe.] Circumscribed; lim- 
ited. [Itare.] 
These results seem clearly to Show that tile tlolinn of 
Binall i-iri l iiiii-,-i i>t an-as [ill till 1 hrain|. each one of which 
performs certain delinite Junctions, must he abandoned. 
.NY//- f, i,, ,;!::, 1 A', 'I'., I. 140. 
Circumscriptiblet (ser-kum-skrip'ti-bl), . [< 
li.eiroumacriptli*, pp. of eirrunmrrtlHW- (sec rir- 
cii inscribe), + -i-ble.] Capable of being circum- 
scribed, limited, or confined. 
He that sits on high niul never sleeps, 
Nor ill one place is ri ,'<// iin'-n'jil <lil''. 
,l/./<Y"i/v, '1 amburlaine, II., ii. 2. 
circumscription (ser-kum-skrip'shon), n. [= F. 
cii-ciniKci-i/itiiiii = Sp. </!<!< iisrri/ii'iiiii = Pg. cir- 
cii)iixrrii>c,flo = It. circonscririone, < L. circum- 
scriptio(n-), < circumscribere, pp. eireumiicriptii.t, 
circumscribe: see circumscribe.] If. A writing 
around ; a circular inscription. 
The ciri'iiiiiscriiition, cut likewise upon brass, is much 
defaced. Axhutulf, lierkshire, I. 142. 
2. The act of circumscribing or the state of be- 
ing circumscribed; the act of bounding, set- 
tling, or defining; limitation; restraint; con- 
finement: as, the circumscription of arbitrary 
power. 
I would not my unhoused free condition 
Put into circumscription and confine. 
Skak., Othello, i. 2. 
3. The exterior line which marks the form of a 
figure or body ; periphery : as, the circumscrip- 
tion of a leaf. 
circumscriptive (ser-kum-skrip'tiv), a. [= Sp. 
circunxcriptiro = Pg. circumscriptiro, < L. cir- 
cumscriptns, pp. of circumscnbcre : see circum- 
script and -ire.] 1. Circumscribing or tend- 
ing to circumscribe ; bringing under certain 
limits or limitations. Milton. 2. Forming 
or coincident with the superficies of a body. 
[Rare.] 
Such as is circumxcriptive, or depending upon the whole 
stone, as in the eaglestone, is properly called the figure. 
N. Grew. 
circumscriptively (ser-kum-skrip'tiv-li), adv. 
1. In a circumseriptive or limited manner or 
sense. [Rare.] 2. In such a manner as to 
occupy space and prevent other bodies from 
occupying it : as, a body is situated where it is 
circumscrip tively. 
The nature of a soul is not to be circumttcriptive.ly in 
place. Bp. Afountagu, Appeal to Ccesar, p. 231. 
circumscriptly (ser'kum-skript-li), adv. Nar- 
rowly ; in a slavishly literal sense. [Rare.] 
These words taken circuwxcriptly . . . are just as much 
against plain equity and the mercy of religion as these 
words of "Take, eat, this is my body," elementally under- 
stood, are against nature and sense. 
Milton, Divorce, ii. 15. 
circumseated (ser-kum-se'ted), p. a. [< circum- 
+ seated.] Seated around. Clifton. [Rare.] 
circumseptt (ser-kum-sepf), v. t. [< L. cir- 
cumseptus, pp. of circumsejnre, < circum, around, 
+ sepire, scepire, hedge in, < sepes, scepes, a 
hedge : see septum.] To hedge in ; inclose ; sur- 
round. 
So that here we stand like sheep in a fold circumcepted 
and compassed between our enemies and our doubtful 
friends. Hall, Kicli. III., an. 3. 
circumsepted (ser-kum-sep'ted), p. a. [Pp. of 
circumsept, v.] Hedged about: in entom., ap- 
plied to the wings when the nervures are so 
arranged that the outer ones accompany and 
strengthen the margin all round, as in certain 
Diptera. 
circumsolar (ser-kum-so'lar), a. [< L. circum, 
around, + sol, sun, + -ar^.] Surrounding the 
sun ; situated about the sun. 
It has not been proved, however, that meteorites move 
in circumsolar orbits. lire, Diet., I. 30. 
The intense illumination of the circumsolar region of 
our atmosphere masks, under ordinary circumstances, the 
red prominences. They are quenched, as it were, by en- 
cess of light. Tyndall, Light and Electricity, p. 83. 
circumspect (ser'kum-spekt), a. [= F. circon- 
sjiect = Sp. circiiiispecto = Pg. circumspecto = 
It. circonspetto, < L. circumspectus, prudent, pp. 
of circumspicere, look around, be cautious, take 
heed, < circum, around, + specere, look: see spe- 
cies, spy.] Literally, looking about on all sides ; 
1013 
hence, examining carefully all the circum- 
stances that may affect a determination ; watch- 
ful on all sides; cautious; wary. 
Von rulers and ollieers, he wise and rircu inspect, look to 
your chaise, and e \oii d VMIII duties. 
iaiiattr, Sermon of the Plough. 
High-reaching Buckingham gnm.i rirrt<inx/rt. 
Slink., Itieh. III., iv. 2. 
Von know I have many enemies. . . . It is, therefore, 
the more necessary for you to he extremely ofrvtUMpMf in 
all your behavior, that no ad\ aiiia-.'e may he ^iv en to their 
malevolence. /.'. /-V-1/.y. Ini, \utoluu^., p. 340. 
circumspect (ser-kum-spekt'), r. t. [< L. cir- 
1'H/nn/in'liire, look around attentively, freq. of 
ch'cHiitxpircre : see circumsjject, a.] To look on 
all sides of; examine carefully; scrutinize. 
[Bare.] 
To cimi msjiect and note daily all defects. 
.V' ii^-nurt, Kcpertorium, p. 233. 
circumspection (ser-kum-spek'shon), n. [=F. 
circoiixjHTtiiin = Sp. rireuHSjicccion = Pg. cir- 
ciiiiixpiTcflo = It. circiiHxpi'~iiii; < L. cirritm- 
spectio(n-), < circumxpiccre, look around: see 
cifciiin.t/H'ct, a.] Attention to all the facts and 
circumstances of a case, and to natural or 
probable consequences, with a view to ascer- 
tain the correct or safe course of conduct or to 
avoid undesirable results ; watchfulness; wari- 
ness; caution: as, " ely circumspection," Milton, 
P. L., iv. 537. 
He shook his head, and observed that an affair of this sort 
demanded the utmost circumspection. 
Goldsmith, Vicar, xii. 
The active, energetic man, loving activity for its own 
sake, . . . wants the delicate circumspection of another 
man who does not love activity for its own sake, but is 
energetic only at the spur of his special ends. 
A. Bain, Corr. Forces. 
= Syn. Vigilance, thoughtfulness, forecast, deliberation, 
circumspectioust(ser-kum-spek'shus), a. [< 
circumspection + -ous, as ambitious from ambi- 
tion.] Circumspect; vigilant; cautious. Mon- 
moutli. 
circumspective (ser-kum-spek'tiv), a. [< cir- 
cumspect, r., + -ire.] Literally, looking about 
in every direction ; hence, cautious; careful of 
consequences; wary; vigilant. [Rare.] 
AH sly, slow things, with circumspective eyes. 
Pope, Essay on Man, Iv. 226. 
circumspectively (ser-kum-spek'tiv-li), adv. 
In a circumspective manner. Foxe. [Rare.] 
circumspectly (ser'kum-spekt-li), adv. In a 
circumspect manner; cautiously; prudently. 
See then that ye walk circumsjiectly, not as fools, but as 
wise. Eph. v. 16. 
Then judge yourself and prove your man, 
As circumspectly as you can. Cowper, Friendship. 
circumspectness (ser'kum-spekt-nes), n. [< 
circumspect, a., 4- -ness.] The quality of being 
circumspect ; caution ; circumspection ; pru- 
dence. 
circumspicUOUS (ser-kum-spik'u-us), a. [< L. as 
if "circumspicuus, < circumspiccre, look around: 
see circumspect, a. Cf. conspicuous.] So situated 
as to be seen on all sides. [Bare.] 
God shall, like the air, he circumspicuous round about 
him. Feltham, Resolves, i. 98. 
circumstance (ser'kum-stans), n. [< ME. cir- 
cumstance, -staunce = F. circonstance = Pr. Pg. 
circumstancia = Sp. circunstancia = It. circon- 
stanzia, circostan:ia, < L. circumstantia, a stand- 
ing around, a state, condition, attribute, cir- 
cumstance (tr. Gr. nepiaraatf), < circumstan(t-)s, 
surrounding: see circumstant.] 1. A fact re- 
lated to another fact and modifying or throw- 
ing light upon its meaning, significance, impor- 
tance, etc., without affecting its essential na- 
ture ; something attending, appendant, or rela- 
tive; something incidental; an accidental or 
unessential accompaniment; especially, some 
fact which gives rise to a certain presumption 
or tends to afford evidence. 
He that is truly dedicate to war 
Hath no self-love ; nor he that loves himself 
Hath not essentially, but by circumstance, 
The name of valour. Shak., 2 Hen. VI., v. 2. 
If circumstances lead me, I will find 
Where truth is hid. Shak., Hamlet, ii. 2. 
Come, do not hunt, 
And labour so about for circumstance, 
To make him guilty, whom you have foredoomed. 
/;. Jonson, Sejanus, Iii. 1. 
They beheld me with all the marks and circumstances 
of wonder. Sn[rt, Gulliver's Travels, iii. 2. 
Inward essence and outward circumstances. J. Caird. 
2. A particular or detail; a matter of small 
consequence: as, that is a mere circumstance 
compared to what followed. 
To use too many circumstances ere one come to the mat- 
ter is wearisome. Bacon, Of Discourse. 
circumstant 
3. Collectively, detail; minuteness; specifica- 
tion of particulars. 
\\ itli gfcMMMtMM and oaths, so to deny 
This chain. .S'Ant., C. of K., v. I. 
What need this rimtnutanrt? pra> y.n, he din-el. 
It. Juiix'iii, livery Man in his Humour, ii. 1. 
With all firrutiijilit/n-i 1 they tell us wlieu und who first 
set foot upon this inland. Milln/i. 
4. A ceremonious accompaniment; a formal- 
ity required by law or custom : moi-i- specifical- 
ly, in a concrete sense. udjiincN <>!' pomp and 
ceremony; ceremonies; display. 
And it was wel don to liertis plesance, 
The Auaoys loged wel with all etreitmJtoHtt. 
/torn, of Partenay ( I.. I: I. s.), 1. 2016. 
All quality, 
Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war. 
,S/mi-., llthcllo, iii. 3. 
We set him vpon a rug, and then brought our Goucrn- 
our to him with Drums und Trumpet- . here alter some 
-,. .>/,,-.M,J/-, ,s-. fur they v-e few compliments, we treated 
of peace with them. 
Copt. John Smith, True Travels, II. 250. 
The aged Harper's soul awoke! 
Then would he sing achievements high, 
And circumstance of chivalry. 
Scott, L. of L. M., vi.. Epilogue. 
5. The surroundings, rarely of a thing, gener- 
ally of a person; existing condition or state of 
things; facts external to a person considered 
as helping or, more especially, as hindering his 
designs, or as inducing him to act in a certain 
way; predicament, unforeseen or unprovided 
for ; a person's worldly estate, or condition of 
wealth or poverty ; fortune ; means : generally 
in the plural. 
None but a virtuous man can hope well in all circum- 
ttaticet. Bacon. 
Every man knows his own circumstances best. 
Steele, Taller, No. 25. 
Who due, the best his circumstance allows, 
Does well, acts nobly; angels could no more. 
Young, Night Thoughts, U. 91. 
I am the very slave of circuw*tance 
And impulse borne away with every breath! 
Byron, .Sardanapalus, iv. 1. 
Now, the time for seeing the young women of a Grecian 
city, all congregated under the happiest circumstances of 
display, was in their local festivals. De Quincey, Homer, i. 
His circumstances are more affluent than ever. 
OoUimith, Vicar, ill. 
6. Event; occurrence; incident. 
Conquerors weeping for new worlds, or the like circum- 
stance in history. Addison. 
The poet has gathered those circumstances which most 
terrify the imagination. Addison, Spectator. 
Easy circumstances, moderate wealth. Narrow cir- 
cumstances, respectable poverty. Not a circum- 
stance to, nothing in comparison with. 11'. 8. J = Syn. 
1. Incident, Occurrence, etc. See event. 
circumstance (ser'kum-stans), v. t. ; pret. and 
pp. circumstanced, ppr. circumstancing. [< cir- 
cumstance, n.] 1. To place in a particular situ- 
ation or condition with regard to attending facts 
or incidents: only in the past participle: as, 
he was so circumstanced that he could not ac- 
cept. 
Another miscarriage of the like nature, more odiously 
circumstanced, was also discovered. 
JV. Morton, New England's Memorial, p. 122. 
In one so circumstanced it cannot he supposed that such 
a trifle . . . would be much resented. 
Barham, Ingoldsby Legends, I. 91. 
2. To control or guide by circumstances : only 
in the following passage. 
Cos. TIs but a little way that I can tiring you, 
For I attend here ; but I'll see you soon. 
Bian. 'Tis very good : I must be circumstanc'd. 
Shalr,, Othello, III. 4. 
3. To furnish or dress out with incidents and 
details; add circumstances to. [Rare.] 
The poet took the matters of fact as they came down to 
him, and circumstanced them after his own manner. 
Addison, Spectator, No. 361. 
circumstantt (ser'kum-stant), a. and n. [= 
Sp. circunstante = Pg. circtimstantc = It. circon- 
stante, circostante, < L. circumstan(t-)s, ppr. of 
circumstare, surround, stand around, < circum, 
around, + stare, stand. Hence circumstance.] 
I. a. Surrounding. 
All circumstant bodies. 
Sir K. Digby, Nature of Man's Soul. 
A fair candlestick, hearing a goodly and bright taper, 
which sends forth light to all the house, but round about 
itself there is a shadow and circuiiixtmit darkness. 
Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1836), I. 237. 
II. n. A bystander; a spectator. 
When these circuuistants shall but live to see 
The time that I prevaricate from thee. 
Utrrict, Hesperides, p. 82. 
