enclave

Forms

enclave f (plural enclaves)^[1] Old French encleve (1312); the form enclave from the mid-15th century.^[2][3]

Etymology

It is a deverbal noun from French enclaver.^{[4][3][5][1][6]} The verb comes from Vulgar Latin *inclāvō (“to lock with a key”), formed on Latin clāvis (“key”) with in-.^[4][5][7]

The verb is cognate with Romanian încheia (“to close”) and Old Occitan enclavar (“to shut in, to fix with a bolt”).^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found as encleve in 1312, in a charter of Saint-Martin de Pontoise cited by Du Cange, for land or territory held by another owner or state.^[4][8][7]

Semantic evolution

The word names a territory enclosed in another, and in law the situation of a plot that has no access, or not enough, to the public road.^[7][4][9] By analogy it was used in building for a part encroaching on a room (1611, Cotgrave), in geology (before 1893) and in physiology (early 20th century).^[7][2] Since the 19th century it has also been said of a place that follows moral or social rules different from those around it.^[7]

English enclave (1868) is from the French word.^[10]

Timeline

• 1283 – The verb enclaver is first recorded.^[4][7]
• 1312 – Encleve appears in a charter cited by Du Cange.^[4]
• Mid-15th century – The form enclave appears.^[2][3]
• 1611 – Cotgrave records the building sense.^[2][9]
• Before 1893 – First used in geology.^[7]
• 1868 – English enclave is first recorded.^[10]

Meanings

Noun

1. A territory wholly enclosed within another.^[9][8][2]
2. (law) A plot of land surrounded by land of other owners, with no access, or insufficient access, to the public road; also this situation.^[9][4][2]
3. (figurative) A place or group living by rules different from those around it.^[7]
4. (building) A part of a staircase, closet or passage that encroaches on a room.^[9][8][2]
5. (geology) A fragment of foreign rock enclosed in a rock mass; an inclusion.^[9][2]
6. (hockey) The slot in front of the goal.^[1]

Related words

• enclaver
• enclavement
• clé
• Latin clāvis
• English enclave

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
3. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e f g Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
5. ^ a b c Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
6. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 2, 766b
7. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
9. ^ a b c d e f Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
10. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com