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You might think of a sconce (the word that when combined with the prefix en- forms ensconce) 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."
Examples of ensconce in a Sentence
Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025
The revival maintains the same sense of dark, broody brutality, though now both Kingpin and Fisk are ensconced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
By Melissa Clark, The New York Times The iconic slice of meatloaf, nestled next to a mound of mashed potatoes and peas, is ensconced in the American mind as a comfort food ideal.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, The Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2025
The significance of being ensconced in two historic, luxury properties is not lost on the pair, who are devoted members of both communities.
—Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ensconce
Cite this Entry
“Ensconce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ensconce. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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ensconce
verb
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