掩
cover, conceal
Strokes11
Readings
On'yomi
- エン
Kun'yomi
- おお.う
Meaning
掩 centers on hiding something from view: covering it up or concealing it so it cannot be seen.
Most common words using 掩
- 掩蔽えんぺい
cover; concealment; masking; screening
- 掩体えんたい
emplacement; bunker; shelter
- 掩体壕えんたいごう
bunker; shelter
- 掩壕えんごう
cover trench
- 掩撃えんげき
sneak attack (by a small group); surprise attack
- 掩蓋えんがい
cover(ing)
- 掩蔽壕えんぺいごう
bunker; covered trench; dugout
- 掩護部隊えんごぶたい
covering force
- 直掩ちょくえん
direct escort; direct cover; combat air patrol; CAP
Study
Etymology
掩 combines 扌 (hand) with 奄, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of covering or concealing.
Meaning mnemonic
The hand 扌 beside 奄 suggests a hand covering something: imagine a hand placed over an object to conceal it from sight.
Reading mnemonic
For エン, picture a hand covering the end of a box to hide its contents: end -> エン, and the hand conceals what is inside.