embower, imbower, v.
(ɛm-, ɪmˈbaʊə(r), -ˈbaʊə(r))
Also 7 imbowr(e.
[f. en-, in- + bower n.1]
1. trans. To shelter, enclose, seclude as in a bower; also absol.
| 1580 Sidney in Farr S.P. Eliz. (1845) I. 78 Him..Whom Sion holds embowered. c 1630 Drummond of Hawthornden Poems Wks. (1711) 44 Ah destinies, & you whom skies embow'r. 1667 Milton P.L. i. 304 Vallombrosa, where th' Etrurian shades High overarch't imbouer. 1738 Wesley Ps. cxlvii, Ye, whom highest Heaven imbow'rs, Praise the Lord. 1833 Tennyson Lady of Shalott i. ii, And the silent isle imbowers The Lady of Shalott. 1873 Symonds Grk. Poets x. 333 Elms and..vines embower them with..rustling leaves. |
† 2. intr. for refl. To take shelter, lodge as in a bower. ? Obs.
| 1591 Spenser Virg. Gnat 225 Small Birds in their wide boughs embowring. 1610 G. Fletcher Christ's Vict. xxvii, Gaze but upon the house whear man embow'rs. |