[Fr.; f. on late L. type *incincta, f. ppl. stem of incingĕre to gird, surround closely.] An enclosure; chiefly in Fortification (see quots.).
1708. Kersey, Enceinte, Compass, Inclosure.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Enceinte, in fortification, the wall, or rampart, which surrounds a place, sometimes composed of bastions and curtains, either faced or lined with brick, or stone, or only made of earth.
1866. Kingsley, Herew., I. i. 29. It did not (seemingly) form part of the enceinte of the mediæval castle of the Wakes.
1879. Cassell’s Techn. Educ., IV. 136/2. The ‘enceinte’ or ‘body of the place’ is the main enclosure of the fortress.
