envelop and envelope
To envelop means to surround or to enclose.
An envelope is a flat paper container with a sealable flap, used to enclose a document.
The verb envelop (without an e on the end) means to surround or to enclose. It is sometimes confused with the noun envelope, which most commonly refers to a flat rectangular paper container for a letter.
An envelope is a flat paper container with a sealable flap, used to enclose a document.
Envelop
The verb envelop can mean to surround, to enclose, to cover up, to conceal or — in military circles — to conduct a flanking manoeuvre. The verb used to be spelt with an e on the end, and this likely contributes to people confusing it with envelope. In the past tense, the e reappears (e.g., The German division enveloped the town.)Examples:
"the bridge was enveloped by fog"
- Every year,
an eerie mist envelops the hotel on the anniversary of his gruesome murder.
Envelope
An envelope denotes a flat package (usually made of paper) that is designed to hold papers (e.g., letters, cards). Envelope is also used to describe the limits of a system's operating capability (e.g., An altitude of 10,000 feet is the top of the aircraft's envelope.)Examples:
a selection of envelopes
- In June's test flights, the speed and altitude envelope was progressively expanded from the previously flown 170
knots and 12,000 feet.
A Quick Test
CHILDREN'S JOKE TO HELP REMIND YOU
Q: What word starts with e, ends in e, but only has one letter in it?
A: Envelope.
Q: What word starts with e, ends in e, but only has one letter in it?
A: Envelope.
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