envelope

[ en-vuh-lohp, ahn- ]

/ ˈɛn vəˌloʊp, ˈɑn- /

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See synonyms for: envelope / envelopes 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.

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Idioms about envelope

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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH envelope

envelop, envelope

Words nearby envelope

enunciation, enure, enuresis, env., envelop, envelope, envelope chemise, envelopment, envenom, Enver Pasha, enviable

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use envelope in a sentence

This uses a harmless virus, usually a retrovirus, that is modified to produce the same external envelope of carbohydrates and proteins as the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Scientists to Wall Street: You don’t really understand how COVID vaccine tests work|Jeremy Kahn|August 24, 2020|Fortune
Always follow directions from official sources, like those on your absentee-ballot envelope, over ours.
Why We’re Planning For An Election Day That Could Last Months|Nathaniel Rakich (nathaniel.rakich@fivethirtyeight.com)|August 14, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
It can only look at the signatures on the envelopes and make sure they appear to be valid.
Politics Report: Down Goes One Hot-Button Ballot Measure|Andrew Keatts|July 18, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Encasing all of this plumbing and the animal cuddled against it lies the big floaty envelope of the outer house.
Larvaceans’ underwater ‘snot palaces’ boast elaborate plumbing|Susan Milius|June 15, 2020|Science News

Most importantly, as far as I can tell, there is not a s ingle report of someone dying from licking envelope glue.
Science of ‘Seinfeld’|LGBTQ-Editor|June 15, 2020|No Straight News
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
Lawrence mingled with the crowd, and as he read he felt a bulky envelope thrust in his hand and caught a glimpse of a dusky arm.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
Still, if such an envelope should be handed him, he would breathe easier until it was opened.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux
Mrs. Haggard, to whom the envelope was addressed, tore it open with some anxiety; her face assumed a pleased expression.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Desiring him to attend his orders outside, Alphonse broke open the envelope.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
It possessed the greatest interest and attraction for Edna; the envelope, its size and shape, the post-mark, the handwriting.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin

British Dictionary definitions for envelope

envelope

/ (ˈɛnvəˌləʊp, ˈɒn-) /

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

envelope

Idioms about envelope

Origin of envelope

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH envelope

Words nearby envelope

Words related to envelope

How to use envelope in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for envelope

Word Origin for envelope