Avvolge

Avvolge is the third-person singular present indicative form of the Italian verb avvolgere, meaning "he/she/it envelops" or "wraps." The transitive verb is used with a direct object to indicate wrapping or enveloping something, and it can take the prepositional phrase in to specify what it is wrapped in, for example, "avvolgere in una coperta" (to wrap in a blanket). It can also be used metaphorically, as in a fog, atmosphere, or mystery enveloping a place or situation, e.g., "La nebbia avvolge la valle" (The fog envelops the valley).

Etymology and cognates: avvolge derives from the verb avvolgere, which comes from the Latin involvere or envolvere, built from volvere "to roll" with a prefix that adapted to Italian phonology. The modern form reflects the common development of Latin in volvere-plus-prefix compounds into Italian verbs meaning to wrap or envelop.

Conjugation and usage notes: Avvolge follows regular -ere verb patterns in the present tense (io avvolgo, tu avvolgi, lui/lei avvolge, noi avvolgiamo, voi avvolgete, loro avvolgono). The past participle is avvolto, used with avere to form the passato prossimo: abbiamo avvolto il pacco. Other tenses align with standard -gere verb conjugations. Common synonyms include avvolgere in a broader sense (to envelop, to surround) and coprire in contexts emphasizing covering rather than wrapping. Reflexive usage exists as avvolgersi, meaning to wrap oneself.

In summary, avvolge serves as the present-tense form of a core Italian verb for enveloping or wrapping, with both literal and figurative applications and a etymology tracing back to Latin roots meaning to roll or wrap.