transitive verb

1. to cause to be encircled on all or nearly all sides police surrounded the house
2. 1. to form an enclosure around; encompass a wall surrounds the city
   2. to be present on all or nearly all sides of; encircle lush fields surround the cottage
3. to enclose (a fort, military unit, etc.) with troops so as to cut off communication or retreat; invest

Etymology: ME surrounden, altered (as if < sur-, sur- + round) < surunden, to overflow < OFr suronder < LL superundare < L super- (see super-) + undare, to move in waves, rise < unda, a wave (see water)

noun