different between ensconce vs shelter

English

Etymology

From en- +? sconce, “to place in a sconce (“fortification”)”.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?n?sk?ns/
• (US) enPR: ?n-skäns', IPA^(key): /?n?sk?ns/
• Rhymes: -?ns, -?ns

Verb

ensconce (third-person singular simple present ensconces, present participle ensconcing, simple past and past participle ensconced)

1. (transitive) To place in a secure environment.
2. (intransitive) To settle comfortably.

   • […] Major was already ensconced on his bed of straw, under a lantern which hung from a beam.

Usage notes

Particularly used in form ensconced, as in “she was ensconced in an armchair.”

Synonyms

• (settle comfortably): cuddle up

Translations

Further reading

• ensconce in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• ensconce in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “ensconce”, in Online Etymology Dictionary

English

Etymology

From Middle English sheltron, sheldtrume (“roof or wall formed by locked shields”), from Old English s?ildtruma, s?yldtruma (“a phalanx, company (of troops), a tortoise, a covering, shed, shelter”, literally “shield-troop”), from s?yld, s?ield (“shield”) + truma (“a troop of soldiers”). Cognate with Scots schilthrum, schiltrum. More at shield, and Old English trymman (“to strengthen”), from trum (“strong, firm”) at trim.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /???lt?/
• (US) IPA^(key): /???lt?/
• Rhymes: -?lt?(r)

Noun

shelter (plural shelters)

1. A refuge, haven or other cover or protection from something.
2. An institution that provides temporary housing for homeless people, battered women etc.

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

shelter (third-person singular simple present shelters, present participle sheltering, simple past and past participle sheltered)

1. (transitive) To provide cover from damage or harassment; to shield; to protect.
   • 1663, John Dryden, Epistle to Dr. Charleton

     Those ruins sheltered once his sacred head.

   • 1829, Robert Southey, Sir Thomas More; or, Colloquies on the Progress and Prospects of Society

     You have no convents […] in which such persons may be received and sheltered.

2. (intransitive) To take cover.

   During the rainstorm, we sheltered under a tree.

Translations

Anagrams

• Ehlerts, Hertels, Shetler, helters, three Ls