immure

[ ih-myoor ]

verb (used with object)

, im·mured, im·mur·ing.

1. to enclose within walls.
2. to shut in; seclude or confine.
3. to imprison.
4. to build into or entomb in a wall.
5. Obsolete. to surround with walls; fortify.

immure

/ ɪˈmjʊə /

verb

1. archaic.
   to enclose within or as if within walls; imprison
2. to shut (oneself) away from society
3. obsolete.
   to build into or enclose within a wall

Derived Forms

• imˈmurement, noun

Other Words From

• im·murement im·mu·ra·tion [im-y, uh, -, rey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• self-im·murement noun
• self-im·muring adjective
• unim·mured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of immure¹

1575–85; < Medieval Latin immūrāre, equivalent to Latin im- im- ¹ + -mūrāre, verbal derivative of mūrus wall ( mural )

Word History and Origins

Origin of immure¹

C16: from Medieval Latin immūrāre, from Latin im- (in) + mūrus a wall

Example Sentences

It never forged a chain to bind a heretic or an adversary, nor erected a prison to immure him.

From Project Gutenberg

Some of the consignees were mobbed, and all were obliged to fly to the castle, and there immure themselves.

From Project Gutenberg

I will immure myself against your cries, and lock myself up to your lamentations.

From Project Gutenberg

But it was affrighting to realize that the very physical feature which provided a refuge might also immure them in a living tomb.

From Project Gutenberg

She was not one of those napkin people who hide their talents, or who immure their lights under superincumbent bushels.

From Project Gutenberg