enceinte

1 of 2

adjective

en·​ceinte äⁿ(n)-ˈsant How to pronounce enceinte (audio)

enceinte

2 of 2

noun

: a line of fortification enclosing a castle or town
also : the area so enclosed

Examples of enceinte in a Sentence

Adjective were delighted to learn that their oldest daughter was enceinte and they would soon be grandparents

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French, perhaps from Vulgar Latin *incenta, alteration of Latin incient-, inciens being with young, modification of Greek enkyos pregnant, from en- + kyein to be pregnant — more at cyme

Noun

French, from Old French, enclosing wall, from enceindre to surround, from Latin incingere, from in- + cingere to gird — more at cincture

First Known Use

Adjective

1602, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1708, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of enceinte was in 1602

Dictionary Entries Near enceinte

Cite this Entry

“Enceinte.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enceinte. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

enceinte

adjective
en·​ceinte äⁿ(n)-ˈsant How to pronounce enceinte (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on enceinte

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