envelop

[v. en-vel-uh p; n. en-vel-uh p, en-vuh-luh p, ahn-] /v. ɛnˈvɛl əp; n. ɛnˈvɛl əp, ˈɛn və ləp, ˈɑn-/
verb (used with object), enveloped, enveloping.
1.
to wrap up in or as in a covering:
The long cloak she was wearing enveloped her completely.
2.
to serve as a wrapping or covering for, as a membrane of an organ or a sheath.
3.
to surround entirely.
4.
Military. to attack (an enemy's flank).
noun
5.
envelope.
Origin
1350-1400; 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
Related forms
enveloper, noun
preenvelop, verb (used with object)
unenveloped, adjective
Can be confused
envelop, envelope.
Synonyms
1. enfold, cover, hide, conceal. 3. encompass, enclose.
Examples from the web for envelop
  • In fact, you'll wonder if you didn't get the thick envelop by mistake.
  • Sundews envelop their victims in an embrace of sticky tentacles.
  • Such a slab can envelop entire slopes as it hurtles downward, crushing all that lies in its path.
  • In fact depending on how thick the envelop it could silence the noise as well.
  • Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord.
  • envelop yourself in sumptuous hand-painted silk scarves whose bold geometric patterns evoke the marble floors of st.
  • The problems that envelop this country are far too many for the likes of a simple switch democracy to fix.
  • There's a walk-in humidor and wine room beneath that circular staircase, designed to envelop a pneumatic elevator.
  • Thick clouds of tear gas envelop an anti-government protester.
  • They should highlight, rather than envelop the meat, and they should be part of the cooking process.
British Dictionary definitions for envelop

envelop

/ɪnˈvɛləp/
verb (transitive) -lops, -loping, -loped
1.
to wrap or enclose in or as if in a covering
2.
to conceal or obscure, as from sight or understanding: a plan enveloped in mystery
3.
to surround or partially surround (an enemy force)
Derived Forms
envelopment, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Old French envoluper, from en-1 + voluper, voloper, of obscure origin
Word Origin and History for envelop
v.

late 14c., envolupen, "be involved in," from Old French envoleper (10c., Modern French envelopper) "envelop, cover; fold up," from en- "in" (see en- (1)) + voloper "wrap up," of uncertain origin, perhaps Celtic (see Gamillscheg, Diez). Literal sense is from 1580s. Related: Enveloped; enveloping.