encompass, v.
(ɛnˈkʌmpəs)
Also 6–8 incompass.
[f. en-1 + compass n.; cf. obs. Sp. encompasar of equivalent formation.]
1. To encircle as a ring or girdle; to surround, bound on all sides.
| α 1555 Eden Decades W. Ind. iii. vi. (Arb.) 161 The northe landes which the frosen sea encompaseth vnder the northe pole. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 688 Baleful Styx encompasses around..th' unhappy Ground. 1725 De Foe Voy. round W. (1840) 130 A kind of a city, encompassed all round, the river making a kind of double horse-shoe. 1776 Withering Bot. Arrangem. (1796) II. 423 Some encompassed with a membranaceous border, deeper than half the breadth of the seed. 1872 Jenkinson Guide Eng. Lakes 251 Behind are the mountains encompassing Borrowdale. |
| β 1596 Spenser State Irel. Wks. (1862) 527/2 You have very well declared the originall of their mounts and great stones incompassed. 1652 Needham tr. Selden's Mare Cl. 79 This Dominion..incompassed their Empire round like a girdle. 1659 Hammond On Ps. lx. 304 Part of Syria which is incompast with Tigris and Euphrates. 1723 Sheffield (Dk. Buckhm.) Wks. (1753) II. 221 My iron pallisade that incompasses a square court. |
2. a. Of persons: To surround, form a circle about, whether for protection, in attendance, or with hostile intent. Also
fig. Also
absol.| α 1555 Eden Decades W. Ind. ii. i. (Arb.) 107 Encoompasinge the vyllage where they laye. 1667 Milton P.L. iii. 149 Th' innumerable sound of Hymns..wherewith thy Throne Encompass'd shall resound thee ever blest. 1704 Swift T. Tub Wks. 1760 I. 36 Encompassed with a ring of disciples. 1781 Gibbon Decl. & F. II. xxx. 258 His throne was encompassed with domestic enemies. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. cxxvi. ii, I..sleep Encompass'd by his faithful guard. |
| β 1590 Webbe Trav. (Arb.) 24 The Turkes power did incompasse Prester Iohns sonne. 1591 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, iii. ii. 53 Hag of all despight, Incompass'd with thy lustfull Paramours. a 1699 A. Halkett Autobiog. (1875) 72, I was now Incompased with misfortunes. |
† b. Of right lines: To contain, include (an angle).
Obs. rare—1.
| 1660 Barrow Euclid. i. xlvii. Probl. 3 The sides A B, A C, encompassing the right angle. |
† 3. To make a circuit about, go all round (anything).
Obs.| 1640 Wilkins New Planet vii. (1707) 216 The Planets..do by their Motion encompass the Body of the Sun. 1654 Gayton Pleas. Notes iv. iv. 192 Drake encompass'd the world with a ship. 1727 Swift Gulliver iii. i. 179, I encompassed it almost round before I could find a convenient place to land in. 1772–84 Cook Voy. (1790) IV. 1275 Mr. Gore encompassed the hill, and joined them. |
4. To surround entirely, overlay as with an envelope or shell; to contain.
| 1553 Eden Treat. New Ind. (Arb.) 35 A thinne skinne..encompassing the shell of the nutte. 1571 Digges Pantom. iv. xxv, This figure..may be incompassed of a sphere. 1626 Bacon Sylva §587 A Stalk of Wheat..encompassed with a case of Wood. 1650 Baxter Saints' R. i. vii. (1662) 102 Had onely Faith to live upon, and were incompassed with flesh. 1678 Hobbes Nat. Philos. ix. 115, I thought nothing had encompassed the Earth but Air. 1794 G. Adams Nat. & Exp. Phil. I. 56 They are kept together by the air that incompasses them in the receiver. 1875 H. E. Manning Mission H. Ghost vii. 192 Walk in the light with which He encompasses you. |
† 5. nonce-use. To outwit, take advantage of, ‘get round’ (a person).
Obs.| 1598 Shakes. Merry W. ii. ii. 158 Ah ha, Mistresse Ford and Mistresse Page, haue I encompass'd you? |
6. Used for
compass v.
1 2.
| 1882 P. Robinson Under Sun iii. v. 201 Whatever the method employed for encompassing his death. 1889 Mrs. H. L. Cameron Lost Wife I. iv. 69 What earthly reason could Captain Thistleby have for encompassing my destruction? |