envelop

[ verb en-vel-uhp; noun en-vel-uhp, en-vuh-luhp, ahn- ]

verb (used with object)

, en·vel·oped, en·vel·op·ing.

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)

Derived Forms

• enˈvelopment, noun

Other Words From

• en·velop·er noun
• preen·velop verb (used with object)
• unen·veloped adjective

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

“Discord” proceeds to envelop us in this exhaustive, mind-racking debate.

From The Daily Beast

The shadows may have sought to envelop Paris altogether early Wednesday.

From The Daily Beast

Spontaneity should, like a sort of fog, already envelop those pages that you will write the next day.

From The Daily Beast

He is one of those who, when they meet Mandela, envelop him in a hug as they walk to steady the old man.

From The Daily Beast

Her flowing dusty-rose gown seemed to envelop her—like a chiffon pup tent held up with silver sequins.

From The Daily Beast

The long axis of the hip-roof crystal is often so shortened that it resembles the envelop crystal of calcium oxalate.

From Project Gutenberg

The shell is thick, and is surrounded by an uneven gelatinous envelop which is often stained with bile.

From Project Gutenberg

I long for the precious embrace to surround me, to envelop me, to pour its soft balm into my aching soul.

From Project Gutenberg

They were great rolling clouds that seemed to envelop the entire universe with their vibrance.

From Project Gutenberg

The night wears on: darkness and fog envelop Paris more and more.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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