1. to limit the power, range, or activity of something
限制（權力、範圍或活動）
The new laws circumscribe the authority of the executive branch.
新法律限制了行政部門的權力。
His illness circumscribed his ability to travel.
他的疾病限制了他旅行的能力。
Circumscribe Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
circumscribe
verb
快速理解
What does "Circumscribe" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Circumscribe"?
指在物理或抽象層面上設定限制或範圍。
- 1
劃定界線
EN: to draw a line around something; to mark its limits.
翻譯: 在物體周圍畫線；標示其界線。
- 2
限制範圍
EN: to limit the power, range, or activity of something.
翻譯: 限制某事物的權力、範圍或活動。
- 3
幾何外接
EN: to draw a figure around another, touching it at points but not cutting it.
翻譯: 在另一個圖形外圍畫一個圖形，與之接觸但不相交。
小提醒：注意：在幾何學中，'circumscribe' 有精確的技術含義（外接），與日常用法（限制）不同。
發音（How to Pronounce "Circumscribe" in English）
How to pronounce "Circumscribe" in English?"Circumscribe" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Circumscribe" from YouTube Videos
暫無 YouTube 示例，重新生成該詞頁可自動補上 1 條。
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Circumscribe"?How does "Circumscribe" change by context?
2. to draw a line around something; to encircle
畫線圍繞；環繞
The ancient stone circle circumscribes the sacred site.
古老的石圈環繞著這片聖地。
Please circumscribe the area of interest on the map.
請在地圖上圈出感興趣的區域。
3. to construct or be constructed around (a geometrical figure) so as to touch as many points as possible
（幾何學）外接；外切
The students learned how to circumscribe a circle around a triangle.
學生們學習了如何畫出三角形的外接圓。
A square circumscribed by a circle touches the circle at four points.
一個圓外切的正方形與圓在四個點上相切。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Circumscribe"?How to make natural sentences with "Circumscribe"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| circumscribe + noun | 限制、約束（某事物） | The new law will circumscribe the powers of the executive branch. (新法律將限制行政部門的權力。) |
| be circumscribed + by + noun | 被（某事物）所限制 | Her freedom was severely circumscribed by her family's traditions. (她的自由被家族傳統嚴重限制。) |
| circumscribe + noun + to + noun/gerund | 將（某事物）限制在（某範圍或活動） | He circumscribed his research to the 19th century. (他將研究範圍限定在19世紀。) |
| circumscribe + noun + within + noun | 將（某事物）限制在（某範圍）內 | The treaty circumscribed military activities within the zone. (條約將該區域內的軍事活動限制在一定範圍內。) |
用法說明
How is "Circumscribe" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Circumscribe"?
circumscribe + noun vs. circumscribe + from + gerund
- circumscribe + noun 是最常見且直接的結構，表示「限制、約束」某個事物（如權力、範圍、活動）。
- circumscribe + from + gerund 則強調「阻止或限制某人/某物從事某項特定活動」。介系詞
from在這裡帶有「禁止、隔離」的意味。 - 在正式或法律文書中，
circumscribe後常接抽象名詞（如 authority, freedom, power）。 - 使用
circumscribe + from + gerund時，主詞通常是「施加限制的一方」，而受限制的對象則在from之後。 EN: The new law circumscribes the executive branch's power. 翻譯: 新法律限制了行政部門的權力。
EN:The treaty circumscribes both nations from deploying troops in the border zone.
翻譯:該條約限制兩國在邊境區域部署軍隊。
總結建議
一般情況下，使用 circumscribe + noun 來表示限制某事物；僅在需要明確指出「限制其不得從事某項活動」時，才使用較正式的 circumscribe + from + gerund 結構。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Circumscribe" and similar words?How to choose "Circumscribe" vs alternatives?
circumscribe vs limit
「circumscribe」強調從外部劃定明確的界線或範圍，通常帶有正式或技術性意味；「limit」則更通用，指設定任何形式的限制或約束。
circumscribe vs restrict
「circumscribe」側重於定義範圍或邊界，而「restrict」更側重於施加具體的規則或條件以進行約束。
circumscribe vs encircle
「circumscribe」多用於抽象概念（如權力、範圍）的界定；「encircle」則主要用於物理空間上的包圍。
口語用法
How is "Circumscribe" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Circumscribe"?
引述
在口語中，有時會用這個詞來引述或總結他人對某事的限制性看法。 EN: He kept saying how the budget would "circumscribe" our options, so I knew we had to get creative. 翻譯: 他不停說預算會如何「限制」我們的選擇，所以我知道我們必須發揮創意。
EN:In the meeting, she used the word "circumscribe" to describe the new policy's effect.
翻譯:在會議中，她用「circumscribe」這個詞來描述新政策的影響。
語氣強調
當想強調某種限制是全面、嚴密或正式的時候，會使用這個較正式的詞來加強語氣。 EN: These regulations don't just guide us; they completely circumscribe what we can do. 翻譯: 這些規定不只是引導我們；它們完全「框限」了我們能做的事。
EN:I feel like my current role really circumscribes my ability to contribute.
翻譯:我覺得我目前的職位真的「侷限」了我做出貢獻的能力。
停頓填充
在較正式的對話或思考時，可能用作停頓填充，替換更簡單的詞如 "limit"，以爭取思考時間或聽起來更慎重。 EN: The agreement... let's say it circumscribes... our future actions in that area. 翻譯: 這份協議...可以說它「限定」了...我們在該領域未來的行動。
EN:Well, to circumscribe... the scope of the problem, we need more data.
翻譯:嗯，要「界定」...問題的範圍，我們需要更多數據。
正式書寫提醒：請注意，即使在正式寫作中，"circumscribe" 也屬於較高階的詞彙。在學術或法律文件中使用很合適，但在一般商業郵件或報告中，可能會讓行文顯得過於艱澀，可考慮使用 "define", "limit", "restrict" 等更常見的同義詞，以確保清晰溝通。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Circumscribe"?What fixed phrases with "Circumscribe" should I remember?
circumscribe an area
circumscribe + [noun]
劃定一個區域的範圍
circumscribe power
circumscribe + [noun]
限制權力
circumscribe freedom
circumscribe + [noun]
限制自由
circumscribe authority
circumscribe + [noun]
約束權威
circumscribe a circle
circumscribe + [noun]
畫出一個圓的外接圖形
circumscribe activities
circumscribe + [noun]
限制活動
circumscribe options
circumscribe + [noun]
限制選擇
circumscribe a triangle
circumscribe + [noun]
畫出一個三角形的外接圓
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Circumscribe"?Which "Circumscribe" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×The law circumscribes the rights of citizens.
✓The law circumscribes the rights of citizens.
雖然文法正確，但學習者常誤用此詞來表示「保障」或「賦予」。"circumscribe" 意指「限制」或「設限」，帶有負面或約束的含義，而非正面賦權。
×We need to circumscribe a plan for the project.
✓We need to devise/formulate a plan for the project.
"circumscribe" 不表示「制定」或「創造」。它專指為某事物「劃定界線」或「設定範圍」。用於計畫時，是指限制計畫的範疇，而非制定內容。
×Her power was circumscribed by the board.
✓Her power was circumscribed by the board.
此句文法正確，但學習者常誤用被動語態時，將施動者（by the board）誤解為「授予權力者」。實際上，"by" 引導的是施加限制的主體（董事會），而非權力來源。
×The garden is circumscribed with a fence.
✓The garden is enclosed/surrounded by a fence.
"circumscribe" 在字面意義上雖可指「圍繞」，但屬非常正式或學術的用法，通常用於抽象概念的限制。在描述具體物體被實體圍繞時，使用 "enclose" 或 "surround" 更為自然。
×They circumscribed to reduce costs.
✓They took measures to reduce costs.
"circumscribe" 是及物動詞，必須直接接賓語（限制的對象），不可單獨使用或接不定詞。常見錯誤是將其誤用作不及物動詞，表示「採取限制行動」。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Circumscribe"?What are tense/participle forms of "Circumscribe"?
circumscribes(3rd_singular)circumscribing(present_participle)circumscribed(past)circumscribed(past_participle)