Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
verb (used with object), en·vel·oped, en·vel·op·ing.
- to wrap up in or as in a covering: The long cloak she was wearing enveloped her completely.
- to serve as a wrapping or covering for, as a membrane of an organ or a sheath.
- to surround entirely.
- Military. to attack (an enemy’s flank).
noun
verb -lops, -loping or -loped (tr)
- to wrap or enclose in or as if in a covering
- to conceal or obscure, as from sight or understandinga plan enveloped in mystery
- to surround or partially surround (an enemy force)
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.