ensconce
Americanverb (used with object)
-
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.
verb
-
to establish or settle firmly or comfortably
ensconced in a chair
-
to place in safety; hide
Etymology
Origin of ensconce
Explanation
If you ensconce yourself somewhere, you settle in for quite a while, such as when you're home with the flu and ensconce yourself on the couch with the remote control, tissues, your phone, and a big glass of orange juice. Ensconce dates to the 1580s, when it literally meant "to cover with a fort." It isn't quite clear whether the word can be traced to French or Dutch, which has a word schans that describes "earthwork." Today, you don't need a protective structure like a fort in order to be ensconced, but the idea of being surrounded is key to the word's meaning.
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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.
Ensconce, en-skons′, v.t. to cover or protect as with a sconce or earth-work: to hide safely.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various
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.
