noun. An encircling or encompassing; a circuit.

noun. Something connected with or belonging to those things that usually surround or environ; an accompanying or environing circumstance or condition: generally in the plural: as, a dwelling and its surroundings; fashionable surroundings.

noun. An encompassing.

noun. The things which surround or environ; external or attending circumstances or conditions.

adjective. Inclosing; encircling.

verb. Present participle of surround.

noun. outlaying area; area in proximity to something

noun. environment

adjective. which surrounds something

adjective. closely encircling

"Weber spends a lot of time in On Basilisk Station describing his world-building, from the political set-up of the various "star nations" his term surrounding the planets in question to the intricate political maneuvering of the nation whose territory Basilisk Station is."

close  

abounding  astounding  bounding  compounding  confounding  

amusement  aspect  association  atmosphere  attire  

abutting  adjacent  adjoining  ambient  ambient  

surround