ensile

[en-sahyl, en-sahyl]

verb (used with object), en·siled, en·sil·ing.

to preserve (green fodder) in a silo.

to make into ensilage.

Origin of ensile

1880–85; < French ensiler < Spanish ensilar, equivalent to en- en-¹ + -silar, verbal derivative of silo silo

Related formsen·si·la·bil·i·ty, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ensile

Historical Examples of ensile

Ensile is the verb expressive of the action of making silage.
Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians
William K. David
Ensilor stands for the person using the silo to ensile fodder for silage by the process of ensilage.
Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians
William K. David

British Dictionary definitions for ensile

ensile

verb (tr)

to store and preserve (green fodder) in an enclosed pit or silo

to turn (green fodder) into silage by causing it to ferment in a closed pit or silo

Derived Formsensilability, noun

Word Origin for ensile

C19: from French ensiler, from Spanish ensilar, from en- 1 + silo silo

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