encrust

American  

[en-kruhst] / ɛnˈkrʌst /

Also incrust

verb (used with object)

1. to cover or line with a crust or hard coating.

2. to form into a crust.

3. to deposit as a crust.

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verb (used without object)

1. to form a crust.

   They scraped off the barnacles that always encrusted on the ship's hull.

encrust British  

/ ɪnˈkrʌst /

verb

1. (tr) to cover or overlay with or as with a crust or hard coating

2. to form or cause to form a crust or hard coating

3. (tr) to decorate lavishly, as with jewels

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Other Word Forms

• encrustant adjective
• encrustation noun
• nonencrusting adjective

Etymology

Origin of encrust

First recorded in 1635–45 for incrust and 1710–20 for encrust; from Old French encrouster, incrouster, from Latin incrustāre “to cover with a layer, rind, or crust; daub”; en- ¹, crust

Example Sentences

There was an entire display case filled with daggers encrusted with opulent jewels.

From Literature

Honestly, if memorable scenes were gems, “Ted Lasso” would be an encrusted splendor fit for the Queen.

From Salon

As a college senior, Bias bought an ankle-length fur coat, a Nissan 380ZX sports car and a gold bracelet encrusted with diamonds spelling his first name, the Washington Post reported.

From The Wall Street Journal

Another smelled like a pile of wet rope encrusted with seaweed and left to rot in the sun, and a nasty, fishy aroma it was.

From Literature

On first looking upon the object, Stais regarded it as nothing more than a large pile of encrusted bronze.

From Literature

Related Words

• blacken
• smear
• smudge
• sully