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envelope

envelope

2 9.7
A curve that touches each curve in a group and forms their outer edge
  • noun
  • /ˈɛnvəˌloʊp/
  • Specialized
translation icon : envolvente
  • A back-of-the-envelope calculation gives some indication of a relevant time scale for the terrestrial nitrogen deposition problem.
  • envelope curve
  • temporal envelope
  • movement envelope

Examples

  • So isn't it time now for someone to come out with a show that just pushes the envelope a a little bit?

  • Well, this is an envelope on this set of plane waves.

  • It's called "back of the envelope" because it can be written out on a small sheet of paper...

    Blog text (28)
  • And then this is the decay for the envelope object.

  • In fact, the real part of the envelope doesn't change.

  • Determining the envelope of a macromolecule can serve as a first step toward detailed structure determination.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Part of an envelope rose above a cabinet in a neat isosceles triangle.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • I am just trying to make a back-of-the-envelope calculation to see if it's even plausible.

    Blog text (1)
  • The solid and broken lines in the data-line waveform represent the envelope of possible values of the data voltage.

    Academic text (2000)
  • The envelope of the sound waves determined how loud the music would be.

Idioms

To try new ideas that go beyond accepted limits

Compounds

Made quickly and simply to give a rough calculation or plan

pay envelope
  • Archaic
1 3.2

An envelope that holds the money a worker gets, often given on pay day

floral envelope
  • Specialized
7.5

Outer parts of a flower, like small leaf parts and colorful petals, that surround its male and female parts

An envelope not sealed by licking the flap

An envelope with a clear window that shows the address on the paper inside

Surface Forms

envelope singular
envelopes plural

Etymology

Envelope comes from French parts en- 'in' and velop 'wrap'. In math, an envelope is the outer line that 'wraps' a family of curves and shows their common boundary.