en‧ve‧lope S3 / envələʊp $ -loʊp / 名词 [可数名词]

1 a thin paper cover in which you put and send a letter :

envelopes and stamps

She tore open the envelope and frantically read the letter.

He got a job stuffing envelopes (= filling them with letters ) at the campaign headquarters. → sae , SASE

2 a layer of something that surrounds something else

envelope of

an envelope of gases around the planet

3 push the envelope especially American English to try to go beyond the normal limits of something :

a musician who pushes the envelope of improvisation

COLLOCATIONS

动词

open an envelope I opened the envelope, pulled out the document and read it.

tear/rip open an envelope (= open it quickly and roughly ) My fingers trembled as I tore open the envelope.

slit open an envelope (= open it by cutting it ) I quickly slit open the envelope.

seal an envelope (= close it ) She sealed the envelope and stuck on a stamp.

stuff envelopes (= to put letters or documents into many envelopes, for example as part of a political compaign ) We need volunteers to stuff envelopes and deliver leaflets.

形容词

a pre-paid/stamped-addressed envelope (= with a stamp/a stamp and an address already on it ) A copy of the rules can be obtained by sending a stamped-addressed envelope to the above address.

a self-addressed envelope (= one with your own name and address on ) Enclose a self-addressed envelope with your application form.

a brown/white etc envelope There was a large brown envelope on his desk.

a manila envelope (= made from strong brown paper )

a sealed envelope (= one that is firmly closed ) The contract was delivered by special messenger in a sealed envelope.

短语

on the back of an envelope (= used to describe a calculation or plan that is written down quickly on any available small piece of paper ) She scribbled a few ideas on the back of an envelope.