inclose
LowFormal, Literary, Archaic
Definition
Meaning
To surround or shut in with a barrier; to close in from all sides.
To enclose within something, such as a letter or document; to contain or restrict within boundaries. Also, to insert something within an envelope or package.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This spelling is now largely considered a historical variant of 'enclose'. It is rarely used in contemporary English, outside of specific legal or historical contexts, but carries the exact same meaning.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Historically used in both varieties. 'Inclose' is the older form, but both the UK and US have standardised on 'enclose'. 'Inclose' is a non-standard spelling today in both regions, though it may be found in older texts or as a deliberate archaism.
Connotations
The spelling 'inclose' connotes antiquity, formality, or specificity (e.g., in historical property deeds). Using it today might seem affected or deliberately old-fashioned.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in modern corpora for both varieties. 'Enclose' is the overwhelmingly dominant modern spelling.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] inclose(s) [Object][Subject] inclose(s) [Object] with/in [something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “inclose upon (archaic - to close in on)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Extremely rare. A historical document might refer to an 'inclosed cheque'.
Academic
Used only when quoting or analysing historical texts (e.g., 18th-century literature or law).
Everyday
Effectively never used.
Technical
May appear in the context of historical archaeology or property law to describe a parcel of land 'inclosed' from common use.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The old deed stated they would inclose the common land with a hedge.
- Please find the documents inclosed with this letter.
American English
- The 19th-century survey instructed settlers to inclose their plots.
- The will made reference to an inclosed sum of money.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form ('inclosedly' is non-existent).
American English
- No standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- The inclosed cheque is for the full amount. (archaic)
- We walked through the inclosed courtyard.
American English
- Please use the inclosed return envelope. (archaic)
- The property featured an inclosed porch.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The farmer will inclose the garden. (historical context)
- I have inclosed a photo with this old letter. (imitating old style)
- The Act of Parliament allowed the lord to inclose the common fields, much to the villagers' dismay.
- The poet's verse incloses a profound truth within its deceptively simple metre, much like the wall inclosed the secret garden.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of INside a CLOSEd space. 'Inclose' is the old way to spell putting something *in* and *closing* it off.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINMENT IS ENCIRCLEMENT (To have/control something is to build a boundary around it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'include' (включать, содержать в себе). 'Inclose' означает физически окружить или заключить в конверт.
- Прямого однокоренного русского эквивалента нет. Основной перевод — 'окружать', 'заключать', 'прилагать (в письме)'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'inclose' in modern writing instead of 'enclose'.
- Confusing 'inclose' with 'include'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct modern spelling for the action described by 'inclose'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a historical and etymologically valid spelling, but it is considered archaic and non-standard in modern English. 'Enclose' is the correct contemporary spelling.
'Inclose' is the older form, derived from Middle English. It was standard before the spelling gradually shifted to 'enclose' by analogy with other 'en-' prefix verbs.
Always use 'enclose' in modern writing, unless you are deliberately quoting or mimicking historical language.
No, they are pronounced identically (/ɪnˈkləʊz/ in RP, /ɪnˈkloʊz/ in GenAm). The difference is purely orthographic.