envelop
[ verb en-vel-uhp; noun en-vel-uhp, en-vuh-luhp, ahn- ]
verb (used with object),en·vel·oped, en·vel·op·ing.
to wrap up in or as in a covering: The long cloak she was wearing enveloped her completely.
to serve as a wrapping or covering for, as a membrane of an organ or a sheath.
to surround entirely.
Military. to attack (an enemy's flank).
noun
Origin of envelop
11350–1400; Middle English envolupen<Old French envoluper, equivalent to en-en-1 + voloper to envelop, of obscure origin; compare Old Provençal (en)volopar,Italian inviluppare to envelop, Italian viluppo tuft, bundle, confusion, referred to Medieval Latin faluppa chaff, wisp of straw, perhaps influenced by the descendants of Latin volvere to roll
Other words for envelop
Other words from envelop
- en·vel·op·er, noun
- pre·en·vel·op, verb (used with object)
- un·en·vel·oped, adjective
Words that may be confused with envelop
- envelop , envelope
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for envelop
envelop
/ (ɪnˈvɛləp) /
verb-lops, -loping or -loped (tr)
to wrap or enclose in or as if in a covering
to conceal or obscure, as from sight or understanding: a plan enveloped in mystery
to surround or partially surround (an enemy force)
Origin of envelop
1C14: from Old French envoluper, from en- 1 + voluper, voloper, of obscure origin
Derived forms of envelop
- envelopment, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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