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. Shaks., 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.
1849. 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. Shaks., 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. 1718. Parnell, Hesiod, Rise of Woman, 69 (1797), 37 (R.).
| Young Hermes next, a close-contriving God, | |
| Her brows encircled with his serpent rod. |
