circumscribe

/ˈsər-kəm-ˌskrīb/

Middle English circumscriven, from Latin circumscribere, from circum- + scribere to write, draw

verb

  1. to constrict the range or activity of definitely and clearly

  2. to define or mark off carefully

  3. to draw a line around

his role was carefully circumscribed

a study of plant species in a circumscribed area

limit restrict circumscribe confine mean to set bounds for. limit implies setting a point or line (as in time, space, speed, or degree) beyond which something cannot or is not permitted to go. restrict suggests a narrowing or tightening or restraining within or as if within an encircling boundary.