enclave Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an enclosed territory that is culturally distinct from the foreign territory that surrounds it

WordNet

En*clave" noun
Etymology
F., fr. L. in + clavus a nail.
Definitions
  1. A tract of land or a territory inclosed within another territory of which it is independent. See Exclave. Recent
En*clave" transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F. enclaver.
Definitions
  1. To inclose within an alien territory. Recent

Webster 1913