Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun envelope

6 senses of envelope

Sense 1
envelope -- (a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.)
       => container -- (any object that can be used to hold things (especially a large metal boxlike object of standardized dimensions that can be loaded from one form of transport to another))

Sense 2
envelope -- (any wrapper or covering)
       => wrapping, wrap, wrapper -- (the covering (usually paper or cellophane) in which something is wrapped)

Sense 3
envelope -- (a curve that is tangent to each of a family of curves)
       => curve, curved shape -- (the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes)

Sense 4
envelope -- (a natural covering (as by a fluid); "the spacecraft detected an envelope of gas around the comet")
       => covering, natural covering, cover -- (a natural object that covers or envelops; "under a covering of dust"; "the fox was flushed from its cover")

Sense 5
envelope -- (the maximum operating capability of a system (especially an aircraft); "test pilots try to push the envelope")
       => operating capability, performance capability -- (the capability of a technological system to perform as intended)

Sense 6
envelope, gasbag -- (the bag containing the gas in a balloon)
       => bag -- (a flexible container with a single opening; "he stuffed his laundry into a large bag")