To enclose or cover something completely with or as if with a shell.
From English prefix 'en-' (to cause to be) + 'shell' (hard outer covering). The word follows the pattern of verbs like 'encase' and 'envelop', combining a prefix with a noun to create a causative verb meaning to wrap or protect.
This word is part of an elegant system in English: we can take almost any noun and add 'en-' to turn it into a verb meaning 'to surround with that thing.' It's like we have a word-building recipe that lets us create verbs on the fly, which is why many 'en-' words feel both familiar and slightly invented.
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