Engulphing

Engulphing is a term used to describe the act of surrounding, swallowing up, or completely covering something. It suggests a forceful and overwhelming process where one entity becomes entirely enveloped by another. This can occur in various contexts, both literal and figurative.

In a physical sense, engulphing can refer to natural phenomena such as a wave engulphing a swimmer, or lava engulphing a village. It can also describe industrial processes or accidental events where a substance or object is completely covered. The key aspect is the complete absorption and obscuring of the engulfed item.

Figuratively, engulphing is often used to describe emotional or psychological states. For instance, someone might feel engulphed by despair or a sense of panic. It can also describe the way ideas or trends can engulph society, becoming dominant and pervasive. The intensity of the feeling or phenomenon is conveyed through the idea of being completely surrounded and overcome. The opposite of engulphing would be remaining distinct or unaffected.