enserrer

To grip, clasp, or hem in tightly — a literary verb for something that encircles and squeezes, whether physical (des bras qui enserrent la taille) or figurative (une angoisse qui enserre le cœur, mountains enserrant a valley).

• Ses bras enserraient sa taille. — His arms were clasped tightly around her waist.
• Une angoisse sourde lui enserrait la poitrine. — A dull anguish gripped his chest.
• Les montagnes enserrent la vallée de toutes parts. — The mountains hem in the valley on every side.

Learners often reach for serrer (to squeeze, to shake — serrer la main) where enserrer would actually fit better for something wrapping tightly around or hemming in — enserrer carries a stronger sense of encirclement than plain serrer.

Often confused with serrer.