envelop

[en-vel-uhp, en-vel-uhp, en-vuh-luhp, ahn-]

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.

   Synonyms: conceal, hide, cover, enfold

2. to serve as a wrapping or covering for, as a membrane of an organ or a sheath.

3. to surround entirely.

   Synonyms: enclose, encompass

4. Military.,  to attack (an enemy's flank).

noun

1. envelope.

envelop

/ ɪnˈvɛləp /

verb

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)

Other Word Forms

• enveloper noun
• preenvelop verb (used with object)
• unenveloped adjective
• envelopment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of envelop¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of envelop¹

C14: from Old French envoluper, from _en- ¹ + voluper, voloper, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

The harvest of that change was an inaugural meeting of the new panel that was enveloped in a miasma of confused, uninformed debate.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But in his own groups he is the rare drummer whose music draws you in with its subtlety rather than enveloping you with its power.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She yells, but another stream of water melts from the vents and envelops both her and Woo.

Read more on Literature

The darkness enveloped her like a veil of ink.

Read more on Literature

But the Halloween announcement wasn’t the biggest controversy to envelop the director that week.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• blanket 
• drape 
• encircle 
• enclose 
• encompass 
• enfold 
• engulf 
• obscure 
• shroud 
• surround 
• swaddle 
• swathe 
• wrap