ensconce

verb

en·​sconce in-ˈskän(t)s 

ensconced; ensconcing

transitive verb

1

: shelter, conceal

ensconced themselves within the protection of three great elms

—Mark Twain

2

: establish, settle

ensconced in a new job

Did you know?

You might think of a sconce as a type of candleholder or lamp, but the word can also refer to a defensive fortification, usually one made of earth. Originally, then, a person who was ensconced was enclosed in or concealed by such a structure, out of harm's way. One of the earliest writers to apply the verb ensconce with the general sense of "hide" was William Shakespeare. In The Merry Wives of Windsor, the character Falstaff, hoping to avoid detection when he is surprised during an amorous moment with Mrs. Ford, says "She shall not see me; I will ensconce me behind the arras." (An arras is a tapestry or wall hanging.)

Synonyms

• install
• lodge
• nestle
• perch
• roost
• settle

Examples of ensconce in a Sentence

The sculpture is safely ensconced behind glass.

He ensconced himself in front of the television.

Recent Examples on the Web

And now anonymous surrender, i.e., safe haven law, is ensconced in every U.S. state. —Maria Laurino, The New Republic, 29 June 2023

For some perspective, though, consider that Licht is leaving for reasons that look like misdemeanors next to the routine atrocities at Fox News, where the management team appears ensconced after a $787.5 million settlement over knowing falsehoods that defamed Dominion Voting Systems. —Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 7 June 2023

These small agricultural towns, founded by Spanish settlers and missionaries in the 18th century, are today ensconced in an agricultural landscape that collectively produces 28 percent of the nation’s strawberries, 57 percent of its celery, and 70 percent of its lettuce. —Jeremy Miller, WIRED, 18 Feb. 2023

But the Bonettis were different — ensconced on a typical street in Maryland, living what appeared to be a typical American life. —Manuel Roig-Franzia, Washington Post, 7 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

en- entry 1 + sconce entry 2

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

ensconce

verb

en·​sconce in-ˈskän(t)s 

ensconced; ensconcing

1

: to place or hide securely : conceal

ensconced myself behind a tree

2

: to establish comfortably : settle snugly

ensconced in a new house