encapsulate

/ɪnˈkæpsjuleɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈkæpsjuleɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈkap-sə-ˌlāt en-/ (ame, mw)

encapsulate — verb

  • encapsulatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • encapsulateshe / she / it
  • encapsulatedpast simple
  • encapsulating-ing form

1. to capture and present the central meaning or character of an idea, event, or sy

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to capture and present the central meaning or character of an idea, event, or system in a compact form — for example, a single sentence that sums up a whole philosophy or a photograph that shows the feeling of an era.

例句

Élise's short speech encapsulated the team's main concerns about the new schedule.

encapsulate + noun phrase (concerns / ideas / feelings)

The final chapter of the book encapsulates the author's view on modern education.

inanimate subject (chapter / report / image) + encapsulate

同義詞
  • summarize

    more neutral in register; focuses on listing key points briefly rather than capturing an essence

  • epitomize

    stronger implication of being a perfect example of a quality; less about brevity, more about representation

  • distil

    suggests removing unnecessary parts to leave only the pure, essential core; slightly more literary

反義詞

文法句型

encapsulate + noun phrase

encapsulate + noun phrase + in/by + noun phrase

用法筆記

Subject is usually a communicative form (speech, chapter, sentence, image) or a representative example. The medium of encapsulation is typically introduced by 'in' or 'by'. This sense is more common than the literal sense and appears across a wider range of registers, though it leans formal.

常見錯誤

❌The report encapsulates about the main problems.
✅The report encapsulates the main problems.
💡'encapsulate' is transitive; do not add a preposition after it.
❌He encapsulated the story short.
✅He encapsulated the story in a few sentences.
💡The compact form must be stated explicitly with 'in'.

2. to completely cover or wrap something so that it is contained inside a sealed, o

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to completely cover or wrap something so that it is contained inside a sealed, often small, space or a protective coating — like a medicine sealed inside a gel capsule or an electronic part covered in resin.

例句

The medicine is encapsulated in a small gel pill that dissolves in the stomach.

passive: be encapsulated in [container]

Lakan used a thin layer of plastic to encapsulate the sensitive electronic parts.

同義詞
  • encase

    more general; does not suggest a capsule-like small space, just complete coverage

  • enclose

    broader meaning; does not imply tight sealing or small container

  • envelop

    suggests wrapping on all sides, often with something soft or gaseous rather than hard

反義詞
  • release

    to free from containment

  • expose

    to remove protective covering

文法句型

encapsulate + noun phrase + in/within + noun phrase

be encapsulated in/within/inside + noun phrase

用法筆記

Most frequent in the passive voice ('is encapsulated in / within'). Common in scientific and technical writing — for example, in pharmacology (drug delivery), electronics (circuit protection), and biology (seed coatings). The active voice is rare outside formal or instructional contexts.

常見錯誤

❌The wires were encapsulated with plastic.
✅The wires were encapsulated in plastic.
💡Use 'in' or 'within', not 'with', for the covering material.
❌The toy encapsulates inside a box.
✅The toy is encapsulated inside a box.
💡The passive is strongly preferred for this sense.