circumscribed

Everyday

1. (formal) Limited or restricted: «a circumscribed life» is one with narrow limits. tree →
2. (maths) Drawn around a shape so that it touches it: a circumscribed circle passes through every corner of a triangle or polygon. tree →

In the lessons

In geometry a circumscribed circle (circumcircle) goes round a shape through all its vertices; an inscribed circle sits inside touching each side. In formal writing «circumscribed» means kept within limits, by rules, money or illness.

Examples

• The teacher drew a circle circumscribed about the triangle. tree →
• A circumscribed circle touches every corner of the square. tree →
• Her freedom was circumscribed by strict rules. tree →
• In the old days girls lived very circumscribed lives. tree →
• The king's power was circumscribed by the law. tree →
• Draw the circle that circumscribes the regular hexagon. tree →

Note

Built from Latin «circum» (around) + «scribe» (write, draw). In maths: circumscribed = drawn outside around a shape; inscribed = drawn inside. For a regular hexagon, the radius of the circumscribed circle equals the side length.