Encrust

To cover or become covered with a hard, usually mineral or hardened substance, like a crust. This process can be natural, such as the encrustation of shells by marine organisms, or artificial, like the deliberate coating of a surface for decorative or protective purposes. Encasing can also apply metaphorically to situations or ideas that accumulate around a core concept. It can signify a gradual accumulation, layer by layer, leading to a substantial covering, thereby changing the characteristics or appearance of the original object or idea. The degree of coverage can vary from a thin film to a thick and solid layer.

Encrust meaning with examples

• Over centuries, the ancient shipwreck had become encrusted with barnacles and coral, creating a vibrant underwater ecosystem that obscured the original hull of the vessel. Marine life, like the coral reef, creates a protective barrier.
• The archaeological team carefully brushed away the layers of dust and sand to reveal the sarcophagus, which was encrusted with intricate hieroglyphs and gold leaf, displaying the wealth of the pharaohs and a complex visual display.
• As the volcanic eruption cooled, the lava flow solidified, encrusting the surrounding landscape with a rugged, obsidian-like coating, creating a striking and dangerous new terrain.
• The artist's sculptures were often encrusted with shattered glass and broken pottery, providing a mosaic surface. These materials are intentionally applied to the surface to add depth and visual complexity to each piece.
• Decades of neglect had allowed dirt and grime to encrust the windows of the abandoned building, blurring the view from inside and signifying the passage of time and decay.