circumvent

views updated Jun 11 2018

cir·cum·vent / ˌsərkəmˈvent/ • v. [tr.] find a way around (an obstacle). ∎  overcome (a problem or difficulty), typically in a clever and surreptitious way: terrorists found the airport checks easy to circumvent. ∎ archaic deceive; outwit.DERIVATIVES: cir·cum·ven·tion / -ˈvenchən/ n.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

circumvent

views updated May 23 2018

circumvent encompass with evil or hostility; overreach, outwit. XV. f. circumvent-, pp. stem of L. circumvenīre surround, beset, deceive, f. CIRCUM- + venīre COME.
So circumvention XV.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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