Sunday, April 29, 2012

Word of the Day for Sunday, April 29, 2012

ensconce \en-SKONS\,
verb:
1. To settle securely or snugly.
2. To cover or shelter; hide securely.

Here, Ryan would ensconce himself in a hammock. -- Zadie Smith, "White Teeth"

This did not trouble him, and he was quite content to ensconce himself in a cosy corner... -- Georgette Heyer, "Regency Buck"

They ensconce themselves in their child, in adding and replacing furniture, in discussing insurance and finally buying some. -- Norman Mailer, "The Naked and the Dead"

Ensconce is related to the word for a type of fort that defended a bridge or pass. It came to mean "to settle securely" in the late 1500s.

Dictionary.com Word of the Day