Word of the Day

: March 19, 2009

enclave

noun EN-klayv

What It Means

: a distinct territorial, cultural, or social unit enclosed within or as if within foreign territory

enclave in Context

The small middle-class enclave, just north of the city, is home to many young professionals who commute into the city to work every morning.

Did You Know?

Looking for the keys to the etymology of "enclave"? You'll find them in French and Latin. English speakers borrowed "enclave" from French in the 19th century. The French noun derives in turn from the Middle French verb "enclaver," meaning to "enclose." "Enclaver" itself can be traced to the Latin prefix "in-" and the Latin noun "clavis," meaning "key." "Clavis" opened the door to a few other English words, some of which might seem unlikely relatives of "enclave." "Clavicle," the word for the bone that joins the breastbone and the shoulder blade, comes from "clavis," as does the musical sign "clef."