enclose
English
Alternative forms
- inclose (was as common as or more common than enclose until the early 1800s, is now uncommon)
Etymology
From Middle English enclosen, inclosen, from Middle English enclos, from Old French enclose, feminine plural past participle of enclore, from Vulgar Latin *inclaudō, *inclaudere, from Latin inclūdō (doublet of include), from in- (“in”) + claudō (“to shut”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kleh₂u- (“key, hook, nail”). Equivalent to en- + close.
Pronunciation
- (Canada) IPA(key): /ənˈkloʊz/
Audio (CA synth) (file) - (UK) IPA(key): /ɪnˈkləʊz/
- (US) IPA(key): /ɪnˈkloʊz/
- Rhymes: -əʊz
Verb
enclose (third-person singular simple present encloses, present participle enclosing, simple past and past participle enclosed)
- (transitive) to surround with a wall, fence, etc.
- to enclose lands
- (transitive) to insert into a container, usually an envelope or package
- Please enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope if you require a reply.
Usage notes
- Until about 1820, it was common to spell this word, and the derived terms encloser and enclosure, with in- (i.e. as inclose, incloser, inclosure). Since 1820, the forms with en- have predominated.[1]
Synonyms
- (to surround with a wall &c.): incastellate, encastellate (used for cisterns, fountains, &c.); see also fortify
Translations
surround, fence in
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insert
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See also
- encircle
- encloser
- enclosable
References
- Google Books Ngram Data
Anagrams
- coleens