Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • intransitive verb To provide with a trench, especially for the purpose of fortifying or defending.
  • intransitive verb To fix firmly or securely.
  • intransitive verb To dig or occupy a trench.
  • intransitive verb To encroach, infringe, or trespass.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun See intrench, intrenchment.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • transitive verb (Mil.) To surround with a trench or with intrenchments, as in fortification; to fortify with a ditch and parapet. Same as intrench.
  • transitive verb to establish in a position from which dislodgement is difficult; to place firmly in a strong position.
  • transitive verb To cut in; to furrow; to make trenches in or upon.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb construction, archaeology To dig or excavate a trench; to trench.
  • verb military To surround or provide with a trench, especially for defense; to dig in.
  • verb figuratively To establish a substantial position in business, politics, etc.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb occupy a trench or secured area
  • verb impinge or infringe upon
  • verb fix firmly or securely

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Mid-16th century. en- +‎ trench

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Examples

  • Even worse, it often does not manifest until the virus has had time to "entrench" itself in the body, making anti-viral drugs somewhat less effective.

    Serendip's Exchange - 2009

  • This, officials say repeatedly, would only "entrench" the division between Gaza and the West Bank and as such leave the former for Egypt to worry about on its eastern borders.

    Al-Ahram Weekly Online 2009

  • This, officials say repeatedly, would only "entrench" the division between Gaza and the West Bank and as such leave the former for Egypt to worry about on its eastern borders.

    Al-Ahram Weekly Online 2009

  • The party wants to change the rules to "entrench" the seats, meaning 75 per cent of MPs would have to agree if they were to be abolished.

    The Canberra Times 2008

  • They would continue the Middle East wars, pursue drone attacks across the globe, expand and entrench the surveillance state, pander to the failed bankers of Wall Street, coddle Too Big To Fail financial institutions, run cover for gigantic and irresponsible polluters such as BP, pass unpopular and detrimental trade legislation, or continue to neglect the environment and the unemployed.

    Robert E. Prasch: President Obama's Speech and the Unemployed: Why Now? Robert E. Prasch 2011

  • They would continue the Middle East wars, pursue drone attacks across the globe, expand and entrench the surveillance state, pander to the failed bankers of Wall Street, coddle Too Big To Fail financial institutions, run cover for gigantic and irresponsible polluters such as BP, pass unpopular and detrimental trade legislation, or continue to neglect the environment and the unemployed.

    Robert E. Prasch: President Obama's Speech and the Unemployed: Why Now? Robert E. Prasch 2011

  • And the decision of the PA to go to the United Nations to seek recognition of a Palestinian state is likely to make matters worse, leading both sides to further entrench themselves into long-time, hardened positions that could potentially lead to a renewed cycle of wide-spread violence.

    Alon Ben-Meir: The Palestinians' Uncharted March to the UN Alon Ben-Meir 2011

  • They would continue the Middle East wars, pursue drone attacks across the globe, expand and entrench the surveillance state, pander to the failed bankers of Wall Street, coddle Too Big To Fail financial institutions, run cover for gigantic and irresponsible polluters such as BP, pass unpopular and detrimental trade legislation, or continue to neglect the environment and the unemployed.

    Robert E. Prasch: President Obama's Speech and the Unemployed: Why Now? Robert E. Prasch 2011

  • They would continue the Middle East wars, pursue drone attacks across the globe, expand and entrench the surveillance state, pander to the failed bankers of Wall Street, coddle Too Big To Fail financial institutions, run cover for gigantic and irresponsible polluters such as BP, pass unpopular and detrimental trade legislation, or continue to neglect the environment and the unemployed.

    Robert E. Prasch: President Obama's Speech and the Unemployed: Why Now? Robert E. Prasch 2011

  • They would continue the Middle East wars, pursue drone attacks across the globe, expand and entrench the surveillance state, pander to the failed bankers of Wall Street, coddle Too Big To Fail financial institutions, run cover for gigantic and irresponsible polluters such as BP, pass unpopular and detrimental trade legislation, or continue to neglect the environment and the unemployed.

    Robert E. Prasch: President Obama's Speech and the Unemployed: Why Now? Robert E. Prasch 2011

Comments

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  • fixed firmly or securely

    By the time we reach 60-years old, most of our habits are so entrenched that it is difficult for us to change.

    October 12, 2016