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engulf

 - 3 dictionary results

en⋅gulf

[en-guhlf]
–verb (used with object)
1. to swallow up in or as in a gulf; submerge: The overflowing river has engulfed many small towns along its banks.
2. to plunge or immerse, as into a gulf: He engulfed himself in his studies.
Also, ingulf.


Origin:
1545–55; en- 1 + gulf


en⋅gulf⋅ment, noun


1. envelop, bury, inundate, deluge, swamp.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To engulf
en·gulf   (ěn-gŭlf')   
tr.v.   en·gulfed, en·gulf·ing, en·gulfs
To swallow up or overwhelm by or as if by overflowing and enclosing: The spring tide engulfed the beach houses.
en·gulf'ment n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

engulf 
1555, from en- "make, put in" + gulf.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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