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ensconce: msg#00000

culture.language.word-of-the-day

Subject: ensconce

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The Word of the Day for November 1 is:

ensconce \in-SKAHNSS\ verb
1 : shelter; conceal
*2 : establish; settle

Example sentence:
Jan was already firmly ensconced in her position at the
publishing house when she met the not-yet-famous young writer.

Did you know?
Many people might think of "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. The earliest writer to apply the
verb "ensconce" to its figurative sense was William Shakespeare.
In his play _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.)








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