[ad. L. circumvallātus pa. pple. of circumvallāre to surround with a rampart, f. CIRCUM- + vallum rampart.] Surrounded as with a rampart; spec. in Physiol. applied to the large papillæ on the back of the tongue, each of which has a kind of entrenchment round it.
1661. Lovell, Hist. Anim. & Min., Introd. Their finns are foure, two in the prone part, two in the supine, and circumvallate round.
1849–52. Todd, Cycl. Anat., IV. 860/1. The circunvallate papillæ … are restricted to a small space at the base of the tongue.
1881. Mivart, Cat, vi. 172. The circumvallate papillæ, each of which consists of a flattened prominence … with a sort of trench round it.
