Enchase
verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 To set (a gemstone, etc.) into.
"The nails faln off by VVhit-flavves: Art's / VViſe hand enchaſing here thoſe vvarts, / VVhich vve to others (from our ſelves) / Sell, and brought hither by the Elves."
- 2 To be a setting for. figuratively
"My ragged rimes are all too rude and bace, / Her heauenly lineaments for to enchace."
- 3 To decorate with jewels, or with inlaid ornament.
"Thy Garments ſhall be made of Medean ſilke, / Enchaſt with precious iewels of mine owne: […]"
- 4 To cut or carve, as with a weapon.
"They tooke their ſwords againe, and each enchaſte / Deepe wounds in the ſoft fleſh of his ſtrong foe[…]"
Example
More examples"The nails faln off by VVhit-flavves: Art's / VViſe hand enchaſing here thoſe vvarts, / VVhich vve to others (from our ſelves) / Sell, and brought hither by the Elves."
Etymology
From Middle English enchacen, enchasen, from Middle French enchasser.
More for "enchase"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.