circumduct

English

Etymology

From Latin circumductus, past participle of circumducere (“to lead around”), from circum + ducere (“to lead”).

Verb

circumduct (third-person singular simple present circumducts, present participle circumducting, simple past and past participle circumducted)

1. (anatomy) To move an extremity about an axis so that the distal end delineates a circle whilst the proximal end stays fixed.
2. (obsolete) To lead about or astray.
3. (law, obsolete) To contravene; to nullify.
   • 1726, John Ayliffe, Parergon Juris Canonici Anglicani: Or, A Commentary, by Way of Supplement to the Canons and Constitutions of the Church of England. […], London: […] D. Leach, and sold by John Walthoe […], →OCLC:

     But Acts of Judicature may be cancelled and circumducted by the Will and Direction of the Judge

4. (law) Alternative form of circumduce (“to close a case to further proof”)

Related terms

• circumduction
• circumductory