noun
surrounding at a distance; encircling from afar
Describes people forming a loose circle around something or someone while keeping their distance, often out of caution, curiosity, or respect. Commonly used in the phrase 遠巻きにする.
野次馬が事故現場を遠巻きにしていた。
Onlookers were surrounding the accident scene from a distance.
彼は記者たちに遠巻きにされて、一言も話さなかった。
He was encircled by reporters at a distance and didn't say a word.