En*com"pass (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Encompassed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Encompassing.] To circumscribe or go round so as to surround closely; to encircle; to inclose; to environ; as, a ring encompasses the finger; an army encompasses a city; a voyage encompassing the world.
Shak.
A question may be encompassed with difficulty.
C. J. Smith.
The love of all thy sons encompass thee.
Tennyson.
Syn. -- To encircle; inclose; surround; include; environ; invest; hem in; shut up.
© Webster 1913. | 
