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 ensconced

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 ensconced

Contemporary Examples of ensconced

Legendary country radio DJ and songwriter Gerry House has been ensconced in the Nashville scene since 1975.
Is Gay Singer Steve Grand Really Country Music’s Frank Ocean?
Hugh Ryan
March 25, 2014
In short, Myriad isolated the BRCA genes—snipped them out of the longer DNA chain in which they were ensconced.
The Supremes Get It Right, Naturally.
Sam Kean
June 14, 2013
But that place is outside the Knesset or Congress, pressing in, not ensconced and privileged and from the inside.
Religion And State In Ruth Calderon's Knesset Speech
Zachary Braiterman
February 15, 2013
Does that mean, once ensconced at the Pentagon, he'll not privately counsel Obama with these observations in mind?
Did Chuck Hagel Cave?
Ali Gharib
January 16, 2013
He is now ensconced at Christian Dior, where he has already debuted his couture collection.
Jil Sander’s Quiet Return
Robin Givhan
September 22, 2012

Historical Examples of ensconced

He bestowed his companion in the tonneau and ensconced himself beside her.
Ruggles of Red Gap
Harry Leon Wilson
Code found Elsa ensconced with a book under the awning amidships.
The Harbor of Doubt
Frank Williams
Molly, ensconced in a window, was already busy with her own.
The Long Roll
Mary Johnston
Juve had ensconced himself in a huge easy chair in a corner of the room.
Fantmas
Pierre Souvestre
Roger was up, though still coughing, and ensconced in his study.
Roger Ingleton, Minor
Talbot Baines Reed

British Dictionary definitions for ensconced

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 ensconced

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.