en|closed / I nkloʊ zd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An enclosed community of monks or nuns does not have any contact with the outside world. □ …monks and nuns from enclosed orders.
en|clo|sure / I nkloʊ ʒə r / (enclosures ) N‑COUNT An enclosure is an area of land that is surrounded by a wall or fence and that is used for a particular purpose. □ This enclosure was so vast that the outermost wall could hardly be seen.
en|code / I nkoʊ d/ (encodes , encoding , encoded ) VERB If you encode a message or some information, you put it into a code or express it in a different form or system of language. □ [V n] Each party encodes confidential data in a form not directly readable by the other.
en|com|pass / I nkʌ mpəs/ (encompasses , encompassing , encompassed )
1 VERB If something encompasses particular things, it includes them. □ [V n] His repertoire encompassed everything from Bach to Schoenberg.
2 VERB To encompass a place means to completely surround or cover it. □ [V n] The map shows the rest of the western region, encompassing nine states.
en|core /ɒ ŋkɔː r , -kɔː r / (encores ) N‑COUNT An encore is a short extra performance at the end of a longer one, which an entertainer gives because the audience asks for it. □ Lang's final encore last night was 'Barefoot'.
en|coun|ter ◆◇◇ / I nkaʊ ntə r / (encounters , encountering , encountered )
1 VERB If you encounter problems or difficulties, you experience them. □ [V n] Every day of our lives we encounter stresses of one kind or another.
2 VERB If you encounter someone, you meet them, usually unexpectedly. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Did you encounter anyone in the building?
3 N‑COUNT An encounter with someone is a meeting with them, particularly one that is unexpected or significant. □ [+ with ] …offering supporters the chance to win an encounter with the President in return for any size of donation.
4 N‑COUNT An encounter is a particular type of experience. □ …a sexual encounter. □ [+ with ] She was not the only person to feel daunted by her encounter with the court. SYNONYMS encounter VERB 1
experience: Widows seem to experience more distress than do widowers.
face: The immense difficulties facing European businessmen were only too evident.
suffer: They suffered another setback in their efforts to obtain support for reforms.
undergo: He underwent an agonising 48-hour wait for the results of tests.
en|cour|age ◆◆◇ / I nkʌ r I dʒ, [AM ] -kɜː r-/ (encourages , encouraging , encouraged )
1 VERB If you encourage someone, you give them confidence, for example by letting them know that what they are doing is good and telling them that they should continue to do it. □ [V n] When things aren't going well, he encourages me, telling me not to give up.
2 VERB [usu passive] If someone is encouraged by something that happens, it gives them hope or confidence. □ [be V -ed + by ] Investors were encouraged by the news. ● en|cour|aged ADJ [v-link ADJ , oft ADJ that] □ We were very encouraged, after over 17,000 pictures were submitted. □ I am encouraged that we appear to be making progress.
3 VERB If you encourage someone to do something, you try to persuade them to do it, for example by telling them that it would be a pleasant thing to do, or by trying to make it easier for them to do it. You can also encourage an activity. □ [be V -ed to-inf] He was encouraged by his family to learn music at a young age. □ [be V -ed] Participation is encouraged at all levels.
4 VERB If something encourages a particular activity or state, it causes it to happen or increase. □ [V n] …a natural substance that encourages cell growth. □ [V n to-inf] Slow music encourages supermarket-shoppers to browse longer but spend more.
en|cour|age|ment / I nkʌ r I dʒmənt, [AM ] -kɜː r-/ (encouragements ) N‑VAR Encouragement is the activity of encouraging someone, or something that is said or done in order to encourage them. □ I also had friends who gave me a great deal of encouragement.
en|cour|ag|ing / I nkʌ r I dʒ I ŋ, [AM ] -kɜː r-/ ADJ Something that is encouraging gives people hope or confidence. □ There are encouraging signs of an artistic revival. □ The results have been encouraging. □ It was encouraging that he recognised the dangers facing the company. ● en|cour|ag|ing|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV adj] □ 'You're doing really well,' her midwife said encouragingly.
en|croach / I nkroʊ tʃ/ (encroaches , encroaching , encroached )
1 VERB If one thing encroaches on another, the first thing spreads or becomes stronger, and slowly begins to restrict the power, range, or effectiveness of the second thing. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + on/upon ] The new institutions do not encroach on political power. □ [V -ing] The movie industry had chosen to ignore the encroaching competition of television. [Also V ]
2 VERB If something encroaches on a place, it spreads and takes over more and more of that place. [FORMAL ] □ [V + on ] The rhododendrons encroached ever more on the twisting drive. □ [V -ing] I turned into the dirt road and followed it through encroaching trees and bushes. [Also V prep/adv, V ]
en|croach|ment / I nkroʊ tʃmənt/ (encroachments ) N‑VAR You can describe the action or process of encroaching on something as encroachment . [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] It's a sign of the encroachment of commercialism in medicine.