entourager

Entourager is a French verb meaning to surround, encircle, or envelop, whether physically or figuratively. In modern standard usage, the infinitive form is entourer. The form entourager exists in some dictionaries as a rare or archaic variant and is not common in contemporary speech or writing.

Etymology and sense extend from the idea of turning around something to enclose it. The verb is transitive and can express enclosing an object, a place, or a person, as well as surrounding with non-physical elements such as attention, protection, or compliments. The related noun entourage refers to the circle of people around a person or the group that surrounds someone.

Usage patterns include several common constructions:

- Enclosing physically: Le jardin est entouré de haies (The garden is surrounded by hedges). This uses the passive/participle form of entourer.

- Surrounding with something: Il l’entoure de compliments (He surrounds her with compliments).

- Figurative or ceremonial surrounding: Le président était entouré de dignitaires pendant la cérémonie.

Conjugation notes: entourer is a regular -er verb. Present tense forms include j’entoure, tu entoures, il entoure, nous entourons, vous entourez, ils entourent; the past participle is entouré, used with auxiliary avoir (j’ai entouré).

See also: entourage, entouré, environnement, cortège.