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.