Encompasses

Encompasses is the third-person singular form of the verb encompass. It means to surround or encircle on all sides, and also to include or cover comprehensively within a scope. In physical use, it can describe something that literally contains or surrounds another thing, as in a wall that encompasses a courtyard. In abstract use, it refers to including a wide range of elements, ideas, or areas within a broader domain, such as a program that encompasses education, research, and outreach.

Etymology and evolution: the word derives from the combination of en- (a prefix meaning “in” or “around”) and compass (relating to surrounding or measurement). It entered English in the Middle English period and has retained the sense of surrounding or enclosing as well as including.

Usage and nuance: encompass emphasizes breadth and completeness more than some synonyms. It is a transitive verb and typically requires a direct object or a phrase indicating what is included or surrounded. Common collocations include “encompasses a wide range,” “encompasses several disciplines,” and “encompasses both the physical and the conceptual.”

Related terms: include, contain, comprise, embrace, subsume. While these words are related, encompass often carries a strong sense of overall scope or boundary, rather than merely listing parts.

Examples:

- The curriculum encompasses mathematics, science, and humanities.

- The festival encompasses performances, workshops, and exhibitions.

- The city’s planning area is encompassed by a network of green corridors.