envelope (redirected from push the envelope)

envelope

(1) A range of frequencies for a particular operation.

(2) A group of bits or items that is packaged and treated as a single unit.

(3) See also pushing the envelope.

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envelope

1. Biology any enclosing structure, such as a membrane, shell, or skin

2. the bag enclosing the gas in a balloon

3. Maths a curve or surface that is tangent to each one of a group of curves or surfaces

4. Electronics the sealed glass or metal housing of a valve, electric light, etc.

5. Telecomm the outer shape of a modulated wave, formed by the peaks of successive cycles of the carrier wave

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envelope [′en·və‚lōp]

(communications)

A curve drawn to pass through the peaks of a graph, such as that of a moduated radio-frequency carrier signal.

(cell and molecular biology)

The sum of all cell-surface elements that are located outside the plasma membrane.

(engineering)

The glass or metal housing of an electron tube or the glass housing of an incandescent lamp.

(mathematics)

The envelope of a one-parameter family of curves is a curve which has a common tangent with each member of the family.

The envelope of a one-parameter family of surfaces is the surface swept out by the characteristic curves of the family.

(virology)

The outer membranous lipoprotein coat of certain viruses. Also known as bulb.