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Encompass vs Amidst - What's the difference?

encompass | amidst |

As a verb encompass

is to form a circle around; to encircle.

As a preposition amidst is

in the midst or middle of; surrounded or encompassed by; among.

encompass

English

Verb

(es)
  • To form a circle around; to encircle.
  • To include within its scope; to circumscribe or go round so as to surround; to enclose; to contain.
  • To include completely; to describe fully or comprehensively.
  • This book on English grammar encompasses all irregular verbs.
  • To go around, especially, to circumnavigate.
  • Drake encompassed the globe.

    Synonyms

    * comprehend * embrace * include

    References

    * *

    amidst

    English

    Alternative forms

    * amidest (obsolete) * amiddst (qualifier) * amiddest (obsolete) * amydst (obsolete) * amyddst (qualifier) * amyddest (qualifier)

    Preposition

    (English prepositions)
  • In the midst or middle of; surrounded or encompassed by; among.
  • * 1748 . David Hume. Enquiries Concerning the Human Understanding and Concerning the Principles of Morals. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. § 4.
  • Be a philosopher ; but amidst all your philosophy, be still a man.
  • * 1912 , (Edgar Rice Burroughs), (Tarzan of the Apes), Chapter 5
  • Not so, however, with Tarzan, the man-child. His life amidst the dangers of the jungle had taught him to meet emergencies with self-confidence, and his higher intelligence resulted in a quickness of mental action far beyond the powers of the apes.

    Synonyms

    * amid * among * amongst

    Usage notes

    As with other words with excrescent suffix , amidst is generally considered synonymous with simpler amid, and amid is preferred by style guides on both sides of the Atlantic. TimesOnline], [http://www.guardian.co.uk/styleguide/w The Guardian] and [http://www.hansard.ca/styleguide.pdf Hansard (Canadian parliament) Further, amidst /amid'' are similar in meaning to – but distinct from – ''amongst''/''among''. ''Amid]](st)'' denotes that something is "in the midst of", "surrounded by" other things, and is used when the idea of separate things is not prominent. ''[[among, Among(st)'' denotes that something is mingling with other separable things ("blessed art thou among women").

    References

    Anagrams

    *