enchain
Americanverb (used with object)
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to bind in or as in chain or chains; fetter; restrain.
to be enchained by ignorance and superstition.
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to hold fast, as the attention.
verb
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to bind with chains
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to hold fast or captivate (the attention, etc)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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enchainsimple
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enchainssimple
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have enchainedperfect
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has enchainedperfect
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am enchainingprogressive
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are enchainingprogressive
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is enchainingprogressive
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have been enchainingperfect progressive
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has been enchainingperfect progressive
Past
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enchainedsimple
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had enchainedperfect
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was enchainingprogressive
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were enchainingprogressive
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had been enchainingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of enchain
1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French enchainer, enchaener. See en- 1, chain
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
As Johnson wrote, “to enchain syllables, and to lash the wind, are equally the undertakings of pride, unwilling to measure its desires by its strength.”
From Slate ● May 31, 2012
At every approach of horseman, cart, or carriage, I turned fearfully, certain I should see some minister of injustice come to enchain us.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
Tie your knots, she sang again and again, enchain! — enchain! — enchain me!
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson
Abstaining from merely theoretical speculations, he exhibits a profound insight into the operation of political causes, which he unfolds with great sagacity, and in a manner suited to enchain the attention of the reader.
From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol 1-98, 1850-1899 None by Harper, Various (magazine)
Each French soldier before the enemy repeats the words of Joan of Arc, "You can enchain me, but you cannot enchain the fortunes of France."
From Raemaekers' Cartoon History of the War, Volume 2 The Second Twelve Months of War by Raemaekers, Louis
It enchains him for life; I have seen it in too many cases—I am not mistaken.
From Dennison Grant: a Novel of To-day by Stead, Robert J. C.
A voice less austere meanwhile enchains the captive ear of the poet.
From International Weekly Miscellany — Volume 1, No. 3, July 15, 1850 by Various
Disordered, farouche as is his style its spiritual note enchains me.
From Melomaniacs by Huneker, James
It would do as great things now, if it were divorced from the degrading and tyrannical connection that enchains it.
From Coningsby by Disraeli, Benjamin, Earl of Beaconsfield
There is nothing that so fascinates and enchains the imagination of men as power in another man.
From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 7 by Warner, Charles Dudley
When we first encounter the character, enchained in the dungeon at the opening of Act II, Florestan rises from exhaustion and cries out, “Gott! welch’ Dunkel hier!”
From New York Times ● Mar. 17, 2017
“With regard to black people, I think they are tired of seeing themselves enchained and downtrodden.”
From New York Times ● May 18, 2016
If my imagination weren't enchained by so much witless tradition and conformity, I might tag this segment to some more majestic and impromptu pattern of my own devising, one that reaches clear across the ecliptic.
From Slate ● Jul. 12, 2012
The world gained as a result of the Great War a freedom from the menace of organized militarist imperialism without which all peoples sooner or later would have been enchained in bondage and vassalage.
From Time Magazine Archive
Eisman was enchained, however, by FrontPoint Partners and, by extension, Morgan Stanley.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
"A novel of purpose as well as an enchaining romance."
From The Black Pearl by Woodrow, Wilson, Mrs.
And all these marvelous changes imparted to love that sweet sadness which is beyond all words poetic and enchaining.
From The Man Between, an International Romance by Barr, Amelia Edith Huddleston
A coughing and shuffling of the feet awakened him out of his enchaining dream, as it were.
From Weird Tales. Vol. I by Hoffmann, E. T. A. (Ernst Theodor Amadeus)
Le Loutre made no answer, for now events on the battlefield were enchaining every eye.
From The Raid from Beausejour; and How the Carter Boys Lifted the Mortgage by Roberts, Charles George Douglas, Sir
Was there freedom, was there enchaining, was there even a height rising from higher.
From Geography and Plays by Stein, Gertrude
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
