encases

Encases is the third-person singular present tense of the verb encase, meaning to place something inside a case or cover to protect, shield, or enclose it. The term can refer to both physical enclosures and more abstract coverings. In everyday language, one might say a device is encased in a plastic shell or a specimen is encased in resin.

The word stems from en- (a prefix meaning to cause to be or to put into) and case (a container or protective shell). Its sense as a covering or enclosure has been part of English since the Middle English period and is common in technical, medical, and manufacturing contexts.

In usage notes, encase emphasizes the presence of a protective or enclosing shell. It is somewhat more specific than enclose, which can refer to surrounding without implying a protective case. The related noun forms are encasement (the act or result of encasing) and encasing (the present participle). The past tense and past participle are encased, and the gerund is encasing.

Examples include: a device encased in a waterproof housing; a fossil encased in amber; or a specimen encased in resin for preservation. In engineering and packaging, encasing is a standard procedure to ensure stability, insulation, or protection from environmental factors. The term is widely understood in scientific, industrial, and consumer-product contexts.