[Fr. enclave, f. enclaver to enclose, shut in, ad. late L. inclāvāre, f. in in + clāv-is key (Scheler), or clāv-us nail (Littré).] A portion of territory entirely surrounded by foreign dominions. Also fig.
1868. G. Duff, Pol. Surv., 38. Russia looks upon them [the Roumans] as destined to be a mere enclave in a Sclavonic empire.
1870. Contemp. Rev., XV. 89. Enclaves in the territory of the greatest-happiness idea.
1884. Spectator, 2 Feb., 150. Purely human enclaves in an inspired book.
1885. Pall Mall Gaz., 16 Feb., 9/1. Portugal … possesses an enclave extending from Massabe to Red Point.
