Engulfment: meaning, definitions and examples
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engulfment
[ษชnหษกสlfmษnt ]
Definition
in oceanography
The action of engulfing or being engulfed, especially by a large mass of water.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| engulfment |
This has the same meaning as 'engulfment', often used interchangeably in both daily language and literature.
|
| swallowing |
This word is used to describe the act of taking something into the mouth and passing it down the throat. It can also metaphorically suggest something being taken in or absorbed, often with a sense of consumption.
|
| submersion |
Typically used to describe an object or person being completely covered or absorbed in a liquid, most commonly water. This term is more technical and often used in scientific or formal contexts.
|
Examples of usage
- The fishing boat was in danger of engulfment by the massive wave.
- The diver experienced a moment of panic as he felt the engulfment of darkness.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The term comes from the root word 'engulf', which combines 'en-' meaning 'to cause to' and 'gulf' referring to a deep inlet of the sea.
- The notion of being 'engulfed' has been used since the 15th century in English, reflecting its literal and metaphorical implications.
- Related words include 'gulf' which itself originates from the Old French 'golfe', emphasizing the idea of a vast space consuming something.
Psychology
- In psychology, the concept of emotional engulfment can occur when one person's feelings or behaviors dominate another's, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed.
- Children sometimes fear engulfment, where they feel they might be lost in parental demands, requiring healthy boundaries.
- Therapeutic settings can address feelings of engulfment as clients learn to set emotional boundaries and recognize their individual needs.
Literature
- Many novels explore themes of engulfment, portraying characters who feel overwhelmed by societal expectations or their own emotions.
- In poetry, the imagery of engulfment often signifies a loss of control, reflecting deep feelings of despair or acceptance.
- Classic works like 'Moby Dick' depict characters engulfed by their obsessions, symbolizing the struggle against life's greater forces.
Natural Sciences
- In geology, the term 'engulfment' can describe phenomena like landslides, where earth materials overwhelm the landscape.
- Some aquatic ecosystems demonstrate engulfment, where smaller organisms become overwhelmed by larger predators in a food web dynamic.
- Engulfment is also observed in physical processes, such as waves engorging the shore, showcasing nature's power over landscapes.
Pop Culture
- In movies, scenes often show characters being engulfed by flames, water, or emotions, heightening dramatic tension.
- Engulfment themes can be found in horror movies, where the protagonist feels trapped, leading to feelings of claustrophobia.
- Music lyrics frequently invoke the imagery of engulfment to explore intense feelings of love, loss, or existential dread.
Translations
Translations of the word "engulfment" in other languages:
๐ต๐น submersรฃo
๐ฎ๐ณ เคจเคฟเคเคฒเคจเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช Verschlingung
๐ฎ๐ฉ penelanan
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟะพะณะปะธะฝะฐะฝะฝั
๐ต๐ฑ pochลoniฤcie
๐ฏ๐ต ้ฃฒใฟ่พผใใใจ
๐ซ๐ท engloutissement
๐ช๐ธ engullimiento
๐น๐ท yutma
๐ฐ๐ท ์ผํด
๐ธ๐ฆ ุงูุงุจุชูุงุน
๐จ๐ฟ pohlcenรญ
๐ธ๐ฐ pohltenie
๐จ๐ณ ๅๆฒก
๐ธ๐ฎ pogoltnitev
๐ฎ๐ธ gleypa
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะถาฑัั
๐ฌ๐ช แฉแแงแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ udma
๐ฒ๐ฝ engullimiento
Word Frequency Rank
Ranking #36,374, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.