enclaspv.
/ɛnˈklɑːsp/, /ɛnˈklasp/, /ɛŋˈklɑːsp/, /ɛŋˈklasp/, /ᵻnˈklɑːsp/, /ᵻnˈklasp/, /ᵻŋˈklɑːsp/, /ᵻŋˈklasp/, U.S. /ɛnˈklæsp/, /ᵻnˈklæsp/ transitive. To hold in or as in a clasp or embrace; to clasp tightly; also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surrounding > surround or lie around [verb (transitive)] > surround closely or tightly
clipc825
fathomOE
windc1175
truss1340
embracec1360
bindc1384
clasp1447
complect1523
circumplect1578
embrace1578
enclasp1596
entwist1600
beclasp1608
chaina1616
inclipa1616
corsleta1625
circumplex1632
enlace1633
entwine1633
comply1648
throttle1863
1596 C. Fitzgeffry Sir Francis Drake sig. Bv Enclaspeth with her winged eminence The worlds orbicular circumference.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 134 You are inclapsed in..inextricable nets.
a1618 J. Davies Bien Venu in Wks. (1876) 5 O Union, that enclaspest in thyne armes All that in Heau'n and Earth is great or good.
1647 R. Cudworth Serm. 1 John ii. 3–4 (1676) 65 He..inclaspeth the whole world within his outstretched arms.
1783 G. W. Lemon Eng. Etymol. Pref. ⁋1 Why do the ivy and eglantine so eagerly enclasp their oak?
1834 B. Disraeli Revolutionary Epick i. xlix. 83 Thy fond hand Still I enclasp.
1847 H. Miller First Impressions Eng. v. 88 Grey lichened rocks, enclasped by sprigs of ivy.
Derivatives
enˈclasping adj.
ΚΠ
1852 M. Arnold Empedocles on Etna, & Other Poems 96 The islands feel the enclasping flow.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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