Encompass \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)