envelope (n.)

"a wrapper, an enclosing cover," specifically a prepared wrapper for a letter or other paper, 1705, from French enveloppe (13c.), a back-formation from envelopper "to envelop" (see envelop).

Entries linking to envelope

envelop (v.)

late 14c., envolupen, "be involved" (in sin, crime, etc.), from Old French envoleper, envoluper "envelop, cover; fold up, wrap up" (10c., Modern French envelopper), from en- "in" (see en- (1)) + voloper "wrap up," which is of uncertain origin, perhaps Celtic (see Gamillscheg, Diez) or Germanic ("Century Dictionary"). Literal sense is from 1580s. Related: Enveloped; enveloping.

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updated on September 01, 2014

Definitions of envelope from WordNet

envelope (n.)

a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.;

envelope (n.)

any wrapper or covering;

envelope (n.)

a curve that is tangent to each of a family of curves;

envelope (n.)

a natural covering (as by a fluid);

the spacecraft detected an envelope of gas around the comet

envelope (n.)

the maximum operating capability of a system (especially an aircraft);

test pilots try to push the envelope

envelope (n.)

the bag containing the gas in a balloon;

Synonyms: gasbag

From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near envelope

enunciate

enunciation

enunciative

enuresis

envelop

envelope

envelopment

envenom

enviable

envious

environ