a. ? Obs. [f. L. circumscrīpt- ppl. stem of circumscrībĕre + -IVE.]
1. Pertaining to, or having the attribute of, ‘circumscription‘ (sense 2) or limitation in space.
1565. Jewel, Repl. Harding (1611), 258. To declare the maner of Christs Presence in the Sacrament, he saith, it is not Locall, not Circumscriptiue.
1657. Hobbes, Absurd Geom., Wks. 1845, VII. 385. Definitive or circumscriptive, and some other of your distinctions … are but snares.
1691. E. Taylor, Behmen’s Theos. Philos., xxii. 36. That flesh (though now glorified) remains a Circumscriptive Creature.
1765. Law, Behmen’s Myst. Magn., xliii. (1772), 252. Is he then Circumscriptive?
2. Pertaining to the ‘circumscription’ (sense 3) or outline.
1681. Grew, Musæum, 294 (J.). As Gems are distinguished chiefly by their Colours; so other Stones Regular, by their external Forms.… Such as is Circumscriptive, or depending upon the whole Stone, as ex. gr. in the Eagle-Stone; and this is properly call’d the Figure.
