[ad. L. circumventiōn-em, n. of action f. circumvenīre: see CIRCUMVENT, and -TION.] The action of circumventing; overreaching, outwitting, or getting the better of any one by craft or artifice.
1534. More, Passion, Wks. 1280/1. Destroied, by the deceite and circumuencion of the false wilye diuel.
1603. Adv. Don Sebastian, in Harl. Misc. (Malh.), II. 374. [He] discovered unto me certain plots and circumventions.
1767. Sterne, Tr. Shandy (1802), VIII. xxxiv. 192. Widow Wadman … has used every art and circumvention of woman to outwit him.
1863. Cowden Clarke, Shaks. Char., iii. 77. As if stratagem and circumvention were the genius and staple of political commerce.
¶ ellipt. = the means of circumvention; circumvention ready, or in operation. (Johnson suggested ‘Prevention, preoccupation.’)
1607. Shaks., Cor., I. ii. 6. What euer haue bin thought on in this State, That could be brought to bodily act, ere Rome Had circumuention?
