ensconce

[en-skons]

See more synonyms for ensconce on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), en·sconced, en·sconc·ing.

to settle securely or snugly: I found her in the library, ensconced in an armchair.
to cover or shelter; hide securely: He ensconced himself in the closet in order to eavesdrop.

Origin of ensconce

First recorded in 1580–90; en-¹ + sconce²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for ensconce

situate, stash, locate, plant, set, shield, conceal, establish, fix, cache, cover, protect, seat, nestle, settle, place, install, shelter, station, ditch

Examples from the Web for ensconce

Historical Examples of ensconce

Let us ensconce ourselves in the vestibule of the sanctuary; he will be here anon.
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
But with apparent obedience she went out—only, however, to ensconce herself immediately behind the door.
Lochinvar
S. R. Crockett
He had been driven to ensconce the nest in a corner of his already too well-filled den.
Tom Brown's School Days
Thomas Hughes
Amazingly, incredibly to him, this grown woman appeared about to ensconce herself.
Aurora the Magnificent
Gertrude Hall
It struck him at once that it would be a good plan to climb into this, and ensconce himself among the branches.
Through Apache Lands
R. H. Jayne

British Dictionary definitions for ensconce

ensconce

verb (tr; often passive)

to establish or settle firmly or comfortablyensconced in a chair
to place in safety; hide

Word Origin for ensconce

C16: see en- 1, sconce ²

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for ensconce

1580s, "to cover with a fort," from en- (1) "make, put in" + sconce "small fortification, shelter," perhaps via French, probably from Dutch schans "earthwork" (cf. Middle High German schanze "bundle of sticks"), of uncertain origin. Related: Ensconced.