[f. L. circumvall-āre (see prec.) + -ATE3. Browning appears to accent circu·mvallate, which is elsewhere not infrequent.] trans. To surround with a rampart or entrenchment.
1860. Sala, Lady Chesterf., iv. 59. A fortress to be circumvallated.
1884. A. E. Hake, Chinese Gordon, vi. 128. The walls were circumvallated by a ditch of an appalling width.
b. transf. and fig.
1823. New Monthly Mag., VII. 45. The impenetrable barrier of … self-love that circumvallated his heart.
1829. C. Welch, Wesl. Polity, 243. [Conference] thus circumvallated and inaccessible.
1868. Browning, Ring & Bk., IV. 791. Circumvallated month by month.
Hence Circumvallating ppl. a.
1884. C. Rogers, Soc. Life Scotl., I. i. 27. Five circumvallating walls were not uncommon.
