encrust

[ en-kruhst ]

verb (used with object)

1. to cover or line with a crust or hard coating.
2. to form into a crust.
3. to deposit as a crust.

verb (used without object)

1. to form a crust:

   They scraped off the barnacles that always encrusted on the ship's hull.

encrust

/ ɪnˈkrʌst /

verb

1. tr to cover or overlay with or as with a crust or hard coating
2. to form or cause to form a crust or hard coating
3. tr to decorate lavishly, as with jewels

Derived Forms

• ˌencrusˈtation, noun

Other Words From

• en·crustant adjective noun
• nonen·crusting adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of encrust¹

First recorded in 1635–45 for incrust and 1710–20 for encrust; from Old French encrouster, incrouster, from Latin incrustāre “to cover with a layer, rind, or crust; daub”; en- ¹, crust

Example Sentences

If Los Angeles has a reputation for opera, it is as an outlier, a city freed from encrusted tradition and eager to invent.

From Los Angeles Times

The mussels can compromise water delivery systems by encrusting screens and filters, attaching to the walls of large pipelines, and clogging smaller pipes.

From Los Angeles Times

Agricultural irrigation and power plant operations could also be significantly impeded, and if past mussel infestations are any indication, golden mussels could also severely affect boating and recreation by encrusting docks, engines and steering equipment.

From Los Angeles Times

One by one, the satellites – each of them encrusted with a hodge-podge of solar panels and other gizmos – detached from their mothership.

From BBC

They show the prow of a wooden ship, encrusted with marine life, a few bronze cannons scattered across the sand, and blue-and-white porcelain and gold coins shining on the ocean floor.

From BBC

Related Words

• blacken
• smear
• smudge
• sully