1.
to encircle, to surround, to put around
To place something around an area so as to enclose or surround it, such as a fence, wall, or moat.
城の周りに堀を巡らす。
To put a moat around the castle.
庭の周りに柵を巡らした。
I put a fence around the garden.
古い屋敷は高い石垣を巡らしていて、中の様子はうかがえなかった。
The old mansion was surrounded by high stone walls, and one could not see what was inside.
2.
to think over, to ponder, to turn over in one's mind
To consider various possibilities or think deeply about something. Often used with 思い (thoughts) or 考え (ideas).
思いを巡らす。
To turn thoughts over in one's mind.
将来のことについて考えを巡らせた。
I pondered about the future.
彼は静かに椅子に座り、事件の真相について思いを巡らせていた。
He sat quietly in the chair, pondering the truth behind the incident.
CONJUGATION:
Godan verb (す row): 巡らさない / 巡らします / 巡らす / 巡らせば / 巡らした.
USAGE:
Sense 1 (encircle) takes を for the barrier and の周りに for the area being enclosed. Sense 2 (ponder) is most commonly used in the set phrases 思いを巡らす and 考えを巡らす. The metaphor extends from physically going around to mentally circling through thoughts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 堀を巡らす: to build a moat around
- 柵を巡らす: to put a fence around
- 思いを巡らす: to turn thoughts over
- 策略を巡らす: to devise a scheme