envoltar

Envolver is a Portuguese verb that means to wrap, envelop, cover, or surround. It can describe a physical action, such as wrapping a gift, and a figurative one, such as surrounding a space with fog or a situation with trouble. It is transitive and can take a direct object, or be used reflexively to indicate becoming wrapped up in something.

Etymology: The word comes from Latin involvere or envolvere, with the prefix en- (a variant of in-) plus volv- (to roll). In Portuguese it acquired the sense of wrapping around or enclosing and later extended to broader figurative uses.

Conjugation: The verb forms with a stem envolv- in many tenses. Present indicative: eu envolvo, tu envolves, ele envolve, nós envolvemos, eles envolvem. Gerund: envolvendo. Past participle: envolvido.

Usage: Examples include literal wrapping, such as "Ela envolveu o presente com papel de seda," meaning she wrapped the gift with tissue paper. The verb can describe surrounding or enveloping in a figurative sense: "A neblina envolve a cidade." or "O assunto envolve várias pessoas." It is also used reflexively to indicate becoming involved or wrapped up in an activity: "Eles se envolveram em uma discussão."

Noun and related terms: The noun envolvimento denotes involvement or the act of being involved. The adjective envolvido describes something or someone that is wrapped or involved in a matter.