entrench

present singular third person entrenches · participle present entrenching · participle past entrenched · past entrenched · alternative archaic intrench

1. ambitransitiveliterallyTo cut in; to furrow; to make trenches in or upon.

   It was this very sword entrenched it.

   c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]

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   His face Deep scars of thunder had entrenched.

   1667, John Milton, “Book I”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC

   1. ambitransitiveliterallyarchaeologyTo dig or excavate a trench; to trench.

      Synonyms: trench

   2. ambitransitiveliterallygovernmentTo surround or provide with a trench, especially for defense; to dig in.

      The army entrenched its camp, or entrenched itself.

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      To the south were the Varden and the men of Surda, entrenched behind multiple layers of defense, where they displayed a fine panoply of woven standards, ranks of proud tents, and the picketed horses of King Orrin's cavalry.

      2005, Christopher Paolini, “The Burning Plains”, in Eldest, page 581

      Synonyms: dig in

2. ambitransitivefigurativelyTo become completely absorbed in and fully accept one's beliefs, even in the face of evidence against it and refusing to be reasoned with.First known use 1590s
3. ambitransitivefigurativelyTo establish a substantial position in business, politics, etc.First known use 1590s

   Senator Cornpone was able to entrench by spending millions on each campaign.

   2 more examples

   Given these entrenched ideological assumptions about the colonial order, it is no wonder that the state and those groups with an interest in the status quo viewed with suspicion and hostility any challenges to the fixed and "natural" boundaries between different sorts of people.

   2009, Andrew B. Fisher, Matthew O'Hara, “Forward”, in Andrew B. Fisher, Matthew O'Hara, editors, Imperial Subjects: Race and Identity in Colonial Latin America, page 4

   For London to have its own exclusive immigration policy would exacerbate the sense that immigration benefits only certain groups and disadvantages the rest. It would entrench the gap between London and the rest of the nation. And it would widen the breach between the public and the elite that has helped fuel anti-immigrant hostility.

   2013 September 28, Kenan Malik, “London Is Special, but Not That Special”, in New York Times, retrieved 28 Sep 2013

   Synonyms: consolidate

4. ambitransitivefigurativelyTo invade; to encroach; to infringe or trespass; to enter on, and take possession of, that which belongs to another; usually followed by on or upon.First known use 1590s