See Also: eye capsule(medicine)
capsule(1)(dictionary)
capsule(2)(dictionary)
Capsule(medicine)
capsule(encyclopedia)
capsule(dictionary)
Capsule(health)
nasal capsule(medicine)
malpighian capsule(medicine)
lenticular capsule(medicine)

capsule(1) (iou)



capsule noun & adjective. Formerly also in Latin form capsula, pl. -lae. LME.
[French from Latin capsula dim. of capsa CASE noun2; see -ULE.]
A. noun.
1. gen. A small case or container; an envelope, a sheath. LME.
time-capsule: see TIME noun.
fig.: N. Mailer This is all very sketchy, but I'm trying to put seven years into a capsule.
2. Anatomy. A membranous or fibrous envelope around an organ, joint, etc.; a sac. L17.
Tenon's capsule: see TENON noun2.
3. Botany. A dry seed-case which opens when ripe by the parting of valves. L17.
4. Chemistry. A shallow vessel for roasting or evaporating. E18-L19.
5. A top or cover for a bottle. M19.
6. A small case of gelatin etc. enclosing a dose of medicine. L19.
7. A detachable nose-cone of a rocket, compartment of a spacecraft, etc., containing instruments or crew. M20.
B. attrib. or as adjective. Brief, condensed; small and compact. Chiefly US. M20.
capsular adjective of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a capsule M18.
capsulitis noun (Medicine) inflammation of a capsule, esp. of a joint M19.