ensile

[ en-sahyl, en-sahyl ]

/ ɛnˈsaɪl, ˈɛn saɪl /

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

to preserve (green fodder) in a silo.

to make into ensilage.

Nearby words

ensiform cartilage, ensiform process, ensign, ensign staff, ensilage, ensile, ensky, enslave, enslavement, ensnare, ensnarl

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

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

/ (ɛnˈsaɪl, ˈɛnsaɪl) /

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