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to environ

to environ

1 8.8
To surround something on all sides
  • verb
  • /ɪnˈvaɪrən/
translation icon : rodear
  • The castle was environed by a deep moat, protecting it from invaders.

There's this entire world environing us that we belong to, that we interact with.

Examples

  • Ihde says, "In this interconnection of embodied being and environing world, what happens in the interface is what is important" (2007, 249).

    Academic text (2017)
  • That's what Emerson meant when he said that "the soul environs itself with friends, that it may enter into a grander self-acquaintance or solitude."

    Academic text (2010)
  • For now I stand as one upon a rock, environed with a wilderness of sea.

  • Environed by the laws and by fellow citizens obedient to the laws, the young are made better.

    Academic text (2002)
  • There's this entire world environing us that we belong to, that we interact with.

  • Dewey (1938) remarked that "a primary responsibility of educators is that they not only be aware of the general principle of the shaping of actual experience by environing conditions, but they also recognize in the concrete what surroundings are conducive to having experiences that lead to growth" (40).

    Academic text (1998)
  • Thus, while we are no longer environed by a monetary system based on precious metals such as gold and silver, therefore not expecting an increase in the money supply by the discovery of more mines or the more efficient exploitation of the existing ones, we may still apply the "Cantillon effect" to central banking and the way all monetary expansions occur, each affecting different classes of people unequally and disproportionately.

    Blog text (14)
  • As the storm approached, dark clouds began to environ the city, bringing a sense of foreboding.

  • The garden is environed by a tall fence, making it a private oasis.

Synonyms

to surround
vsto environ
1.7

To be all around a person or thing on every side

is the neutral word for going all around without a strong purpose
to ring
vsto environ
87 2.5

To form a circle around something to surround it

is more general, not only about circle formation
to enclose
vsto environ
84 3.7

Surround something completely, often with a wall or fence

is more general and not tied to physical barriers
to envelop
vsto environ
41 4.5

To surround something completely, like fog or darkness

is more general, meaning to go all around without implying a cover
to encase
vsto environ
34 4.9

To cover something completely so nothing can get in or out

is broader, not necessarily implying airtight sealing or blocking entry
to encircle
vsto environ
33 3.4

To form a circle around a person or thing

is broader, not limited to circular shape and covers other arrangements
to enfold
vsto environ
6 5.6

To cover something completely, as if by a blanket or mist

is broader, applying to any way of going all around, not only covering
to enwrap
vsto environ
1 8.0

To cover something completely, often by surrounding it with cloth or paper

is more general, meaning to go all around rather than just wrap
to inclose
vsto environ
  • Archaic
7.8

Surround something completely on all sides to shut it in

is broader, focusing on going all around rather than forced closure
to englobe
vsto environ
8.4

Completely surround something, often in a round shape like a ball

is the general term for going all around, not limited to round shapes

How Encompassing

to engulf
40 5.1
to envelop
41 4.5
to enclose
84 3.7
to environ
1 8.8
to encircle
33 3.4
to border
46 2.3

Surface Forms

environ infinitive
environed past
environed past participle
environing present participle
environs third person singular

Morphology

environ = en + viron

Although the prefix 'en' is recognizable, the root 'viron' is not a standalone English word, so learners cannot reliably derive the meaning from the components.

Etymology

Environ comes from old French parts en- meaning 'in' and viron meaning 'around', so it originally carried the idea of being 'in a circle' or 'around' something. That's why to environ is to 'surround' or 'encircle' something, and it is related to environment, the things 'around' you.