capsule Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a small container
  2. noun a pill in the form of a small rounded gelatinous container with medicine inside
  3. noun a dry dehiscent seed vessel or the spore-containing structure of e.g. mosses
  4. noun a shortened version of a written work
    condensation; abridgement; abridgment.
  5. noun a structure that encloses a body part
  6. noun a spacecraft designed to transport people and support human life in outer space
    space capsule.
  7. noun a pilot's seat in an airplane that can be forcibly ejected in the case of an emergency; then the pilot descends by parachute
    ejection seat; ejector seat.
  8. verb enclose in a capsule
    capsulate; capsulise; capsulize.
  9. verb put in a short or concise form; reduce in volume
    capsulise; encapsulate; capsulize.
    • capsulize the news

WordNet

Cap"sule noun
Etymology
L. capsula a little box or chest, fr. capsa chest, case, fr. capere to take, contain: cf. F. capsule.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) a dry fruit or pod which is made up of several parts or carpels, and opens to discharge the seeds, as, the capsule of the poppy, the flax, the lily, etc.
  2. (Chem.) (a) A small saucer of clay for roasting or melting samples of ores, etc.; a scorifier. (b) a small, shallow, evaporating dish, usually of porcelain.
  3. (Med.) A small cylindrical or spherical gelatinous envelope in which nauseous or acrid doses are inclosed to be swallowed.
  4. (Anat.) A membranous sac containing fluid, or investing an organ or joint; as, the capsule of the lens of the eye. Also, a capsulelike organ.
  5. A metallic seal or cover for closing a bottle,
  6. A small cup or shell, as of metal, for a percussion cap, cartridge, etc.

Webster 1913