Enclosing

Enclosing is the act of surrounding or bounding something on all sides, or placing something inside a boundary. The term comes from en- (in, within) and clos(e), from Latin includere, reflecting the sense of shutting in. The concept appears in physical spaces as well as in abstract contexts.

In physical spaces, an enclosure is a bounded area defined by walls, fences, hedges, or other barriers. Enclosures can serve to contain people or animals (such as animal pens or courtyards), protect property, or create privacy and security by marking boundaries between spaces.

In geometry and design, enclosing describes surrounding an object with another shape or boundary. The idea underpins circumscribed figures and enclosure problems in computational geometry, such as determining or constructing the smallest shape that contains a given set of points (the minimum enclosing circle or ball).

In biology and engineering, enclosing structures are membranes or housings that separate a compartment from its surroundings, such as cell membranes enclosing cytoplasm or enclosures for mechanical components. Enclosures provide containment, protection, and controlled environments for contents.

In communication and logistics, an enclosure or enclosures are documents or items added to a letter or package for the recipient, including forms, labels, or samples. The term appears in cataloging, mail handling, and archival contexts as a note indicating included materials.