cir·cum·scrip·tion 
(sûr′kəm-skrĭpshən)
(sûr′kəm-skrĭpshən)n.
1. The act of circumscribing or the state of being circumscribed.
2. Something, such as a limit or restriction, that circumscribes.
3. A circumscribed space or area.
4. A circular inscription, as on a medallion.
[Latin circumscrīptiō, circumscrīptiōn-, from circumscrīptus, past participle of circumscrībere, to circumscribe; see CIRCUMSCRIBE.]
cir′cum·scriptive adj.