Obs. Forms: α. 4–6 enviroun(e, 4–5 envyron, 6 enveron, 5– environ. β. 4 in viroun, 6 invirone, 7 inviron. [a. Fr. environ, f. en in + OF. *viron circuit, related to virer to VEER. Cf. Pr. en viro of same meaning.]
A. adv. Round about; in the neighborhood.
c. 1375. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. II. 311. In viroun and wiþinne þei weren ful of iȝen.
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W., Prol. 300. And with that word, a compas enviroun They sitten hem ful softely adoun.
1436. Pol. Poems, II. (1859), 157. Exhortynge alle Englande to kepe the see enviroun.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, XIII. v. 4. And with large clamour fillis inveroun Thair myndis all.
1519. Four Elements, Interlude, in Hazl., Dodsley, I. 6. Which doth illumine the world environ.
1600. Fairfax, Tasso, II. lxxx. 35. Lord Godfreyes eie three times enuiron goes.
B. prep. Round, about.
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 76. The Serpent … Went environ the shelle aboute.
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 3618. He ladde me … Alle enviroun the vergere.
c. 1450. Merlin, vii. 113. Somme seide that thei wolde ley siege environ the baile.
