Definition of: circumvent

(sûr′kəm·vent′) v.t.
1. To get around; get the better of, as by craft, artifice, or fraud; outwit.
2. To surround or entrap, as an enemy, by craft or strategem.
3. To pass around: to circumvent a town.
4. To forestall (an occurrence or happening). See synonyms under BAFFLE, DECEIVE. [<L circumventus, pp. of circumvenire <circum- around + venire come]
—cir′cum·ven′tive adjective
—cir′·cum·ven′tion noun