entrench

• POS: Verb (intransitive), Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: en=trench

CIDE DICTIONARY

entrench, v. t. 

•  To surround with a trench or with intrenchments, as in fortification; to fortify with a ditch and parapet. Same as intrench.  [1913 Webster]
•  to establish in a position from which dislodgement is difficult; to place firmly in a strong position.  [PJC]
•  To cut in; to furrow; to make trenches in or upon.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

entrench, v. (also intrench)
1 tr. establish firmly (in a defensible position, in office, etc.).
2 tr. surround (a post, army, town, etc.) with a trench as a fortification.
3 tr. apply extra safeguards to (rights etc. guaranteed by legislation).
4 intr. entrench oneself.
5 intr. (foll. by upon) encroach, trespass.

Idiom

entrench oneself adopt a well-defended position.

Derivative

entrenchment n.

THESAURUS

entrench

arm, armor, armor-plate, bank, barge in, barricade, battle, bed, blockade, break in, break in upon, bulwark, burst in, butt in, castellate, charge in, come between, confirm, crash, crash in, crash the gates, creep in, crenellate, crowd in, cut in, deep-dye, define, dig in, edge in, elbow in, embattle, embed, encroach, engraft, engrave, establish, etch, fence, fix, foist in, fortify, found, garrison, ground, horn in, impact, impinge, implant, impose, impose on, impose upon, impress, imprint, infiltrate, infix, infringe, ingrain, inscribe, insinuate, interfere, interlope, interpose, intervene, intrude, invade, irrupt, jam, lodge, man, man the garrison, mine, obtrude, pack, palisade, plant, press in, print, push in, put on, put upon, root, rush in, seat, set, set in, settle, slink in, slip in, smash in, sneak in, squeeze in, stamp, steal in, stereotype, storm in, strengthen, throng in, thrust in, trench, trespass, wall, wedge, work in, worm in

ROGET THESAURUS

entrench

Safety

VB be safe, keep one's head above water, tide over, save one's bacon, ride out the storm, weather the storm, light upon one's feet, land on one's feet, bear a charmed life, escape, make safe, render safe Adj, protect, take care of, preserve, cover, screen, shelter, shroud, flank, ward, guard, secure, entrench, intrench, fence round, house, nestle, ensconce, take charge of, escort, convoy, garrison, watch, mount guard, patrol, make assurance doubly sure, take up a loose thread, take precautions, double reef topsails, seek safety, take shelter, find shelter.

N safety, security, surety, impregnability, invulnerability, invulnerableness, danger past, danger over, storm blown over, coast clear, escape, means of escape, blow valve, safety valve, release valve, sniffing valve, safeguard, palladium, guardianship, wardship, wardenship, tutelage, custody, safekeeping, preservation, protection, auspices, safe-conduct, escort, convoy, guard, shield, guardian angel, tutelary god, tutelary deity, tutelary saint, genius loci, protector, guardian, warden, warder, preserver, custodian, duenna, chaperon, third person, watchdog, bandog, Cerberus, watchman, patrolman, policeman, cop, dick, fuzz, smokey, peeler, zarp, sentinel, sentry, scout, garrison, guardship, refuge &c, anchor, precaution, quarantine, cordon sanitaire, confidence, protect, take care of, preserve, cover, screen, shelter, shroud, flank, ward, guard, secure, entrench, intrench, fence round, house, nestle, ensconce, take charge of, escort, convoy, garrison, watch, mount guard, patrol, make assurance doubly sure, take up a loose thread, take precautions, double reef topsails, seek safety, take shelter, find shelter, Adj, safe, secure, sure, in safety, in security, on the safe side, under the shield of, under the shade of, under the wing of, under the shadow of one's wing, under cover, under lock and key, out of danger, out of the woods, out of the meshes, out of harm's way, unharmed, unscathed, on sure ground, at anchor, high and dry, above water, unthreatened, unmolested, protected, cavendo tutus, panoplied, snug, seaworthy, weatherproof, waterproof, fireproof, defensible, tenable, proof against, invulnerable, unassailable, unattackable, impenetrable, impregnable, imperdible, inexpugnable, Achillean, safe and sound, scathless, unhazarded, not dangerous, unthreatening, harmless, friendly (cooperative), protecting, protective, guardian, tutelary, preservative, trustworthy, ex abundanti cautela, with impunity, all's well, salva res est, suave mari magno, a couvert, e terra alterius spectare laborem, Dieu vous garde.

Defense

VB defend, forfend, fend, shield, screen, shroud, engarrison, fend round, fence, entrench, intrench, guard, guard against, take care of, bear harmless, fend off, keep off, ward off, beat off, beat back, hinder, parry, repel, propugn, put to flight, give a warm reception to, hold at bay, keep at bay, keep arm's length, stand on the defensive, act on the defensive, show fight, maintain one's ground, stand one's ground, stand by, hold one's own, bear the brunt, stand the brunt, fall back upon, hold, stand in the gap.