envelope

/ˈɛnvəˌloʊp/
noun
  1. A flat paper container used to enclose a letter or document, typically with a flap that can be sealed.
    • The office manager ordered a box of business envelopes for the mailroom.
    • He wrote the address on the envelope and dropped it in the mailbox.
    • She put the birthday card into a white envelope and sealed it.
  2. A covering or container that surrounds something, such as a protective layer or structure.
    • The spacecraft's outer envelope protected it from extreme temperatures.
    • The building's glass envelope allows natural light to flood the interior.
    • The seed's hard envelope helps it survive harsh conditions.
  3. The limits or boundaries of something, especially in a technical or figurative sense.
    • As an artist, she constantly tries to push the envelope with her experimental work.
    • The pilot tested the aircraft's performance envelope during the flight.
    • The new design pushes the envelope of what is possible in smartphone technology.
What does "envelope" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean