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envelope
[en-vuh-lohp, ahn-]
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.
envelope
/ ˈɒn-, ˈɛnvəˌləʊp /
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
informalto push the boundaries of what is possible
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of envelope1
Idioms and Phrases
push the envelope, to stretch established limits, as in technological advance or social innovation.
Example Sentences
Daly said she almost missed out on accepting the honour after the letter was sent to the wrong address - and added that she cried when she opened the envelope.
The political argument around spending will rage but the chancellor did - to use the ghastly technical term – set out the "spending envelope" in her autumn Budget, indicating rises were coming.
At the time, urban road schemes were a source of pride and the slogan "Leeds - Motorway City of the Seventies" was even stamped onto envelopes at the Royal Mail's sorting office in the city.
Jane paid for his ticket, she testified, and afterward, she worked to ensure that an envelope containing several thousand dollars was left for the escort at the front desk.
Reeves has already set out what is known as the "spending envelope" - how much total government spending will rise by over the period.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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