What does enlace mean?
Enlace is a literary English verb meaning to encircle, bind, or intertwine something, either literally with a cord or lace, or figuratively, as when vines enlace a garden wall or two people's hands are enlaced. It derives from Old French enlacier, built on the root that also gives us "lace," which ultimately traces back to the Latin laqueus, meaning a noose or snare. In modern usage the word is relatively rare and distinctly formal or poetic in register; writers choose it over plain alternatives like "tie" or "twine" for its graceful, evocative quality. It frequently appears in romantic and descriptive contexts — enlaced arms, enlaced fingers, branches enlaced with blossoms — lending scenes an air of intimacy or lushness. A related noun, enlacement, denotes the act or result of such binding or intertwining.
verbTo bind, encircle, or fasten something with or as if with a lace; to intertwine or interweave threads, strands, or things metaphorically likened to them.
- To encircle, wrap around, or entwine something (often said of vines, arms, hair, or other flexible things).
- To bind, tie, or fasten as if with a lace or cord.
"Vines enlaced the crumbling stone walls of the abandoned abbey."
"Her fingers were enlaced in his as they walked along the shore."
"The poet described how grief and joy were enlaced in every memory."
"Enlace" and "lace" share a family tree rooted in the Latin laqueus — the very word for a hunter's snare.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of enlace
Enlace comes from the Old French verb enlacier, meaning to ensnare or bind, formed from the prefix en- plus lacier, "to lace." The French root itself descends from the Latin laqueus, meaning a noose or snare, which also gave English the words "lace" and "lasso." The word entered English in the late medieval period and has retained its literary character ever since.
Related word forms
How enlace is actually used
Enlace is a literary, somewhat archaic verb; it appears most often in poetry, fiction, and elevated prose rather than everyday speech. It carries an elegant, often tender or romantic connotation when describing intertwined bodies or hands, and a picturesque one when describing plants or natural forms.
Easily confused with enlace
Unlace means the opposite action — to undo or loosen a lace or binding — while enlace means to tie, bind, or intertwine.