Capsulated

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Enclosed within a capsule-like formation that provides protection ; Surrounded by a specific barrier that encapsulates and secures ; Encased in a structural layer that serves to isolate and safeguard contents from external factors
2. Contained inside a small protective enclosure similar to a capsule, designed to shield its contents ; fully enclosed within a distinct outer layer that encloses and separates it from outside influence
3. Wrapped or sealed inside a compact case that guards its contents from damage or exposure ; surrounded thoroughly by a protective shell or enclosure that isolates it

Etymology: Capsule comes from Latin "capsula," a little box, which is a diminutive of "capsa," a case or chest. Both words grow from the verb "capere," to take or hold, the same root behind "capacity" and "captive." A capsule is literally a small container for holding something. The adjective adds two English suffixes to that noun. "-ate" turns a noun into a verb meaning to furnish with or enclose in that thing, so "capsulate" means to put into a capsule. The "-ed" ending then turns the participle into an adjective describing something already so enclosed. The result is a term that describes a thing as if it were packed in a small protective case. Biologists use the related adjective "encapsulated" for cells or tissues walled off by a membrane or fibrous sheath, and that technical sense is the one most often seen in scientific writing.

Synonyms: encapsulated, enclosed