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to englobe

to englobe

8.4
Completely surround something, often in a round shape like a ball
  • verb
  • /ɪnˈɡloʊb/
translation icon : englobar
  • The planet Earth is englobed by a protective layer of atmosphere that shields it from harmful radiation.

Examples

  • The large bubble englobed all the smaller ones, creating a mesmerizing visual effect in the sunlight.

  • A rich yellow light englobed them, and beyond, for a backdrop, a deep green undulation of shrubs and sea grape shook their branches as if in mimicry.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • The artist created a sculpture that englobes the concept of harmony within its elegant curves.

Synonyms

to surround
vsto englobe
1.7

To be all around a person or thing on every side

adds the special sense of a rounded, often spherical complete enclosure
to ring
vsto englobe
87 2.5

To form a circle around something to surround it

means full enclosure that implies a rounded or ball like surrounding
to enclose
vsto englobe
84 3.7

Surround something completely, often with a wall or fence

highlights enclosing with a rounded or spherical shape rather than barriers
to wrap around
vsto englobe
78 3.4

Cover something by winding a cloth around it

means total enclosure specifically arranged as a rounded or spherical wrap
to circle
vsto englobe
70 2.0

To draw a line around something to show it

focuses more on fully enclosing with a rounded, three dimensional shape
to envelop
vsto englobe
41 4.5

To surround something completely, like fog or darkness

stresses total enclosure with an explicitly rounded or spherical form
to wall
vsto englobe
41 6.4

To surround an area with a wall to protect it

refers instead to enclosing in a rounded or spherical manner
to encase
vsto englobe
34 4.9

To cover something completely so nothing can get in or out

focuses on surrounding in a rounded way rather than on impermeability
to encircle
vsto englobe
33 3.4

To form a circle around a person or thing

is about full enclosure with a rounded or spherical shape
to compass
vsto englobe
  • Archaic
1 7.4

To surround something completely

constrains that surrounding to a rounded, sphere like enclosure
to enwrap
vsto englobe
1 8.0

To cover something completely, often by surrounding it with cloth or paper

adds the idea of a rounded, all around enclosure rather than just wrapping
to environ
vsto englobe
1 8.8

To surround something on all sides

specifies that the complete enclosure takes a rounded or spherical form
to sphere
vsto englobe
7.6

To make something round like a ball

emphasizes complete surrounding specifically with a rounded outer form
to circumvallate
vsto englobe
  • Archaic
9.9

To surround a place with walls or dirt banks to stop people leaving

is about enclosing in a rounded, all around shape rather than fortifying

Antonyms

146 2.8

Make something visible by removing a cover or letting light reach it

How Complete

to englobe
8.4
to envelop
41 4.5
to encircle
33 3.4
to surround
1.7
to border
12 3.1

Surface Forms

englobe infinitive
englobed past
englobed past participle
englobing present participle
englobes third person singular

Morphology

englobe = globe (transparent) = en + globe

The prefix 'en-' indicates to cause to be or to put into, making the meaning clear as 'to put into a globe-like form'.

Etymology

Englobe comes from French parts en- 'in' and globe 'ball' or 'sphere'. So to englobe something is like putting it 'in a ball' or surrounding it completely in a round way.