Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Encompass

En-com′pass

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Encompassed
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Encompassing
.]
To circumscribe or go round so as to surround closely; to encircle; to inclose; to environ;
as, a ring
encompasses
the finger; an army
encompasses
a city; a voyage
encompassing
the world.
Shak.
A question may be
encompassed
with difficulty.
C. J. Smith.
Syn. – To encircle; inclose; surround; include; environ; invest; hem in; shut up.

Webster 1828 Edition

Encompass

ENCOM'PASS

,
Verb.
T.
[from compass.] To encircle; to surround; as, a ring encompasses the finger.
1.
To environ; to inclose; to surround; to shut in. A besieging army encompassed the city of Jerusalem.
2.
To go or sail round; as Drake encompassed the globe.

Definition 2024

encompass

encompass

English

Verb

encompass ‎(third-person singular simple present encompasses, present participle encompassing, simple past and past participle encompassed)

  1. (transitive) To form a circle around; to encircle.
  2. (transitive) To include within its scope; to circumscribe or go round so as to surround; to enclose; to contain.
  3. (transitive) To include completely; to describe fully or comprehensively.
    This book on English grammar encompasses all irregular verbs.
  4. (transitive) To go around, especially, to circumnavigate.
    Drake encompassed the globe.

Synonyms

Related terms

Translations

References

  • encompass in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
  • encompass in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913

Etymology

en- +‎ compass

Pronunciation

Similar Results