encrust

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to cover or become covered with a hard crust or deposited layer

   Minerals encrust the pipe after years of hard-water flow.

2. 2
   verb

   to cover or decorate a surface densely with jewels or other ornamental material

   Artisans encrust the ceremonial box with tiny gemstones.

From French incruster, from Latin incrustare 'to cover with a crust,' formed from in- 'on, into' + crusta 'crust, rind.' The English spelling was remodeled with en-, while incrust remains a variant.

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