/en"klayv, ahn"-/ , n. , v. , enclaved, enclaving .
n.
1. a country, or esp., an outlying portion of a country, entirely or mostly surrounded by the territory of another country.
2. any small, distinct area or group enclosed or isolated within a larger one: a Chinese-speaking enclave in London.
v.t.
3. to isolate or enclose (esp. territory) within a foreign or uncongenial environment; make an enclave of: The desert enclaved the little settlement.
[ 1865-70; enclaver inclavare to lock in, equiv. to L in- IN- 2 + clav ( is ) key + -are inf. suffix ]