Encorporate vs. Incorporate — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on August 18, 2023

Encorporate is an archaic term meaning to give material form or embody, while incorporate refers to combining or including something into a larger whole.

Difference Between Encorporate and Incorporate

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Key Differences

Encorporate, now an archaic term, stems from the idea of endowing something with a corporeal or material form. On the other hand, incorporate comes from a background that implies the act of combining or including something within another entity, often within a structured or organized whole.

Aug 18, 2023

Both words share the Latin root "corpus," meaning "body." However, their prefixes make all the difference. The prefix in encorporate, "en-", suggests a transformation or change into a material state. This brings about the meaning of embodying or materializing something. Incorporate, with the prefix "in-", conveys the idea of inclusion or integration.

Aug 18, 2023

While encorporate is rarely used in modern English, it's interesting to note its application in historical or literary contexts. It describes the process of making abstract concepts tangible. Incorporate, on the other hand, is much more commonly used in business, law, and general language.

Aug 18, 2023

While both encorporate and incorporate revolve around the concept of a "body" or form, their applications are distinct. Encorporate speaks to the physical embodiment of an idea, while incorporate discusses the amalgamation or integration of elements.

Aug 18, 2023

Comparison Chart

Origin

Archaic term

Commonly used

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Root

Latin "corpus" with "en-" prefix

Latin "corpus" with "in-" prefix

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Meaning

To give material form or embody

To combine or include into a larger whole

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Usage

Rarely used in modern English

Regularly used, especially in business and law

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Example

Encorporating dreams into reality

Incorporating a business to gain legal advantages

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Compare with Definitions

Encorporate

To give a material existence

The director aimed to encorporate the script's essence on screen.

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Incorporate

To combine or include within something else

The design will incorporate modern and traditional elements.

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Encorporate

To embody or personify

The statue encorporated the bravery of the fallen heroes.

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Incorporate

To form into a legal corporation

She plans to incorporate her business next month.

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Encorporate

Archaic form of incorporate

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

To take in or assimilate

The chef incorporated flavors from various cultures into the dish.

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Encorporate

To make tangible or concrete

The painter encorporated the colors of the sunset onto the canvas.

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Incorporate

To make a part of a larger unit

The teacher incorporated the feedback into the lesson plan.

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Encorporate

To endow with a physical form

Artists encorporate their emotions into sculptures.

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Incorporate

To blend or work into a substance or mass

Incorporate the butter slowly to achieve a smooth texture.

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Encorporate

To bring into material world

The craftsman encorporated the folklore into the woodwork.

Aug 18, 2023

Incorporate

To unite (one thing) with something else already in existence

Incorporated the letter into her diary.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

To admit as a member to a corporation or similar organization.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

To cause to merge or combine together into a united whole.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

To cause to form into a legal corporation

Incorporate a business.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

To give substance or material form to; embody.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

To become united or combined into an organized body.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

To become or form a legal corporation

San Antonio incorporated as a city in 1837.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

(Linguistics) To move from the head of one phrase to the head of another, forming a new word by affixing onto that head, as in certain languages when a noun object of a verb is affixed to the verb.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

Combined into one united body; merged.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

Formed into a legal corporation.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

(transitive) To include (something) as a part.

The design of his house incorporates a spiral staircase.

To incorporate another's ideas into one's work

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

(transitive) To mix (something in) as an ingredient; to blend

Incorporate air into the mixture by whisking.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

(transitive) To admit as a member of a company

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

(transitive) To form into a legal company.

The company was incorporated in 1980.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

To include (another clause or guarantee of the US constitution) as a part (of the Fourteenth Amendment, such that the clause binds not only the federal government but also state governments).

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

To form into a body; to combine, as different ingredients, into one consistent mass.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

To unite with a material body; to give a material form to; to embody.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

(obsolete) Corporate; incorporated; made one body, or united in one body; associated; mixed together; combined; embodied.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

Not consisting of matter; not having a material body; incorporeal; spiritual.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

Not incorporated; not existing as a corporation.

An incorporate banking association

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

Not consisting of matter; not having a material body; incorporeal; spiritual.

Moses forbore to speak of angles, and things invisible, and incorporate.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

Not incorporated; not existing as a corporation; as, an incorporate banking association.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

Corporate; incorporated; made one body, or united in one body; associated; mixed together; combined; embodied.

As if our hands, our sides, voices, and mindsHad been incorporate.

A fifteenth part of silver incorporate with gold.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

To form into a body; to combine, as different ingredients, into one consistent mass.

By your leaves, you shall not stay alone,Till holy church incorporate two in one.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

To unite with a material body; to give a material form to; to embody.

The idolaters, who worshiped their images as gods, supposed some spirit to be incorporated therein.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

To unite with, or introduce into, a mass already formed; as, to incorporate copper with silver; - used with with and into.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

To unite intimately; to blend; to assimilate; to combine into a structure or organization, whether material or mental; as, to incorporate provinces into the realm; to incorporate another's ideas into one's work.

The Romans did not subdue a country to put the inhabitants to fire and sword, but to incorporate them into their own community.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

To form into a legal body, or body politic; to constitute into a corporation recognized by law, with special functions, rights, duties and liabilities; as, to incorporate a bank, a railroad company, a city or town, etc.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

To unite in one body so as to make a part of it; to be mixed or blended; - usually followed by with.

Painters' colors and ashes do better incorporate will oil.

He never suffers wrong so long to grow,And to incorporate with right so farAs it might come to seem the same in show.

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

Make into a whole or make part of a whole;

She incorporated his suggestions into her proposal

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

Include or contain; have as a component;

A totally new idea is comprised in this paper

The record contains many old songs from the 1930's

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

Form a corporation

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

Unite or merge with something already in existence;

Incorporate this document with those pertaining to the same case

Oct 29, 2018

Incorporate

Formed or united into a whole

Oct 29, 2018

Common Curiosities

What's a simple way to understand incorporate?

Incorporate essentially means to include or combine one thing within another.

Aug 18, 2023

What does encorporate mean?

Encorporate is an archaic term that means to give a material form to or to embody something.

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What's the root of encorporate and incorporate?

Both words stem from the Latin "corpus," meaning "body", but have different prefixes that change their meanings.

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Is encorporate related to the idea of personification?

Yes, to encorporate can also mean to embody or personify an abstract concept.

Aug 18, 2023

What are the legal implications of incorporating a business?

When a business is incorporated, it's recognized as its own legal entity, separate from its owners, and gets certain legal rights and protections.

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How is incorporate used in the business world?

Incorporate refers to the process by which a business entity becomes a legally recognized corporation, granting it certain legal rights and protections.

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Is encorporate a commonly used word today?

No, encorporate is not commonly used in modern English and is considered archaic.

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Can you encorporate emotions into art?

Yes, artists often encorporate their emotions, making them tangible or material in their artworks.

Aug 18, 2023

How does one incorporate feedback?

One can incorporate feedback by including or integrating the suggestions or comments into the original work or idea.

Aug 18, 2023

Can you encorporate a theme into a story?

While the term is archaic, yes, a writer can encorporate or give tangible form to a theme within a narrative.

Aug 18, 2023

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.