en·clave / ˈenˌklāv; ˈäng-/ • n. a portion of territory within or surrounded by a larger territory whose inhabitants are culturally or ethnically distinct. ∎  a secured area within another secured area. ∎ fig. a place or group that is different in character from those surrounding it: the engineering department is traditionally a male enclave.ORIGIN: mid 19th cent.: from French, from Old French enclaver ‘enclose, dovetail,’ based on Latin clavis ‘key.’

enclave A term used in under-development and dependency theories to refer to parts of a Third World economy which are based on production for export and are controlled and managed by foreign capital. The enclave is thought to have few linkages with the national economy and thus to have little impact on internal growth.

enclave portion of territory entirely surrounded by alien dominions. XIX (†enclaved pp. once XV). — F., f. (O))F. enclaver :- popL. *inclāvāre, f. EN-1 + clāvis key.