What does "circumscription" mean?

Circumscription: The exterior line which determines the form or magnitude of a body; outline; periphery. Ray.

Additional senses

  1. 2.The act of limiting, or the state of being limited, by conditions or restraints; bound; confinement; limit. The circumscriptions of terrestrial nature. Johnson. I would not my unhoused, free condition Put into circumscription and confine. Shak.

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