envelope

[en-vuh-lohp, ahn-]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR envelope ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a flat paper container, as for a letter or thin package, usually having a gummed flap or other means of closure.

something that envelops; a wrapper, integument, or surrounding cover.

Biology. a surrounding or enclosing structure, as a corolla or an outer membrane.

Geometry. a curve or surface tangent to each member of a set of curves or surfaces.

Radio. (of a modulated carrier wave) a curve connecting the peaks of a graph of the instantaneous value of the electric or magnetic component of the carrier wave as a function of time.

the fabric structure enclosing the gasbag of an aerostat.

the gasbag itself.

Electronics. the airtight glass or metal housing of a vacuum tube.

the technical limits within which an aircraft or electronic system may be safely operated.

Nearby words

Idioms

push the envelope, to stretch established limits, as in technological advance or social innovation.

Also envelop.

Origin of envelope

1700–10; < French enveloppe, derivative of envelopper to envelop

Can be confusedenvelop envelope

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for envelope

He started out with solo flights, but in this session over the desert outside Dubai he really pushes the envelope.
Daredevil in a Jetpack Flies Alongside A Plane|Jack Holmes, The Daily Beast Video|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The parental fold may be about to envelope you—and yet also drive you mad.
How to Make It Through Thanksgiving Alive|Lizzie Crocker|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On one occasion, Garrison said Williams had him hand one out-of-state doctor an envelope stuffed with $20,000 in cash.
Patients Screwed in Spine Surgery ‘Scam’|The Center for Investigative Reporting|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The envelope also contains a warning about the federal penalties for obstructing the mail.
Grimes Campaign “Exploring Legal Options” Against McConnell|Ben Jacobs|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Prince William was seen clutching an envelope, when they left, most likely containing images of the scan.
Royal Baby Due In April|Tom Sykes|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was too late now, and Larry gazed regretfully at the envelope.
Larry Dexter's Great Search|Howard R. Garis
But by this time Jasmine had torn the envelope open, and was oblivious to all Daisy's comments.
The Palace Beautiful|L. T. Meade
Gilbert ripped open the envelope, letting it fall to the floor as he unfolded the letter.
The Cruise of the Make-Believes|Tom Gallon
This settled, he proceeded to take a chair and envelope himself in smoke.
The Chief Legatee|Anna Katharine Green
The word urgent, twice underlined, was written in the top left-hand corner of the envelope.
Knock, Knock, Knock and Other Stories|Ivan Turgenev

British Dictionary definitions for envelope

envelope

noun

a flat covering of paper, usually rectangular in shape and with a flap that can be folded over and sealed, used to enclose a letter, etc

any covering or wrapper

biology any enclosing structure, such as a membrane, shell, or skin

the bag enclosing the gas in a balloon

maths a curve or surface that is tangent to each one of a group of curves or surfaces

electronics the sealed glass or metal housing of a valve, electric light, etc

telecomm the outer shape of a modulated wave, formed by the peaks of successive cycles of the carrier wave

push the envelope informal to push the boundaries of what is possible

Word Origin for envelope

C18: from French enveloppe, from envelopper to wrap around; see envelop; sense 8 from aeronautics jargon, referring to graphs of aircraft performance

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

Word Origin and History for envelope

envelope

1705, from French enveloppe (13c.), a back-formation from envelopper "to envelop" (see envelop).

Medicine definitions for envelope

envelope

[ĕn′və-lōp′, ŏn′-]

n.

An enclosing structure or cover, such as a membrane or the outer coat of a virus.

envelope

noun

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Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of envelope

Examples from the Web for envelope

envelope

noun

Word Origin for envelope

envelope

envelope

n.