encircle, v.
(ɛnˈsɜːk(ə)l)
Also 4 ? ensercle, 7–8 incircle, (7 incircule).
[f. en- + circle.]
1. trans. To enclose in a circle. a. Of things, bodies of people, etc.: To form a circle round, surround. b. To surround, gird, encompass with.
| ? a 1400 Morte Arth. 3943 The..kynge..Ses theme alle in a soppe in sowte by theme one, With þe Sarazenes unsownde enserchede [corrected (? conjecturally) in Gloss. to enserclede] abowte. 1597 Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, iv. ii. 6 Your Flocke..Encircled you, to hear with reverence Your exposition. 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. vi. xxiv. 116 Incirculing their heads with this word, æternitas imperi. 1642 Howell For. Trav. (1869) 46 Great Britaine being encircled by the Sea..need not feare any one Earthly power. 1741 Richardson Pamela II. 106, I found myself incircled in the Arms of my..Father. 1775 R. Chandler Trav. Asia M. I. 106 The people..were encircling the trunks with tar. 1775 Johnson Tax. no Tyr. 42 Encircle with a diadem the brows of Mr. Cushing. 1844 Mem. Babylonian P'cess II. 20 Some of the nuns encircle their naked waists with a girdle of thorns. 1848 Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 295 The close which encircles the venerable cathedral. |
c. transf. and fig.
| 1774 Goldsm. Retal. 83 Satire and censure encircled his throne. 1791 Cowper Iliad i. 46 God of the silver bow, who with thy power Encirclest Chrysa. 1833 Browning Pauline 24 Sense supplies a love Encircling me. a 1876 J. H. Newman Hist. Sk. I. i. iv. 171 The divinity which..encircled the hideous form of Attila. |
2. To make a circling movement about (a person or thing).
| 1598 Shakes. Merry W. iv. iv. 57 Then let them all encircle him about. 1624 Capt. Smith Virginia iii. ii. 48 Till they had twice incirculed the fire. 1638 Wilkins New World i. (1684) 137 Jupiter hath four [Moons] that Incircle him with their Motion. a 1717 Parnell Hesiod, Rise of Woman (R.), Hermes..Her brows encircled with his serpent-rod. |