Immure: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Latin 'immunire', which means 'to enclose' or 'to protect'.
• It combines the prefix 'in-' (meaning 'in') with 'murus' (meaning 'wall'), suggesting a sense of being within walls.
• The usage in English dates back to the 16th century, reflecting various forms of confinement.

Literature

• The term has been used in classic literature to describe characters who are trapped by societal expectations.
• Edgar Allan Poe's works often portray themes of entrapment, using language that evokes confinement similar to 'immure'.
• Shakespeare utilized the sense of being 'immured' in the context of emotional or physical walls in plays like 'Romeo and Juliet'.

Psychology

• Feeling immured can relate to psychological concepts of isolation and confinement, impacting mental health.
• Individuals may experience emotional immurement when trapped in toxic relationships or environments.
• Therapeutic practices often address the feelings of being immured to help people navigate their emotional landscapes.

Architecture

• Architecturally, to immure can refer to the practice of building walls that enclose and create boundaries in structures.
• Historically, certain buildings were designed to immure – like fortresses or dungeons – to protect against intruders.
• Modern architecture sometimes explores concepts of immure by designing spaces that create feelings of safety or confinement.

Art

• Artists have depicted immurement in various forms, illustrating the themes of restriction and solitude in sculptures and paintings.
• Contemporary art may explore the concept of emotional immurement, representing feelings of entrapment through abstract forms.
• The visual representation of immurement can evoke strong emotional responses, as viewers relate to feelings of being trapped.

At position #40,141, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.

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