I. ˈkap-səl, -(ˌ)sül also -ˌsyül noun
Etymology: French, from Latin capsula, diminutive of capsa box — more at case
Date: circa 1693
1.
a. : a membrane or sac enclosing a body part (as a knee joint or kidney)
b. : either of two layers of white matter in the cerebrum
2. : a closed receptacle containing spores or seeds: as
a. : a dry dehiscent usually many-seeded fruit composed of two or more carpels
b. : the spore case of a moss
3. : a shell usually of gelatin for packaging something (as a drug or vitamins) ; also : a usually medicinal or nutritional preparation for oral use consisting of the shell and its contents
4. : an often polysaccharide envelope surrounding a microorganism
5. : an extremely brief condensation : outline , survey
6.
a. : a compact often sealed and detachable container or compartment
b. : a small pressurized compartment or vehicle (as for space flight or emergency escape)
II. transitive verb
( cap·suled ; cap·sul·ing )
Date: 1859
1. : to equip with or enclose in a capsule
2. : to condense into or devise in a compact form
III. adjective
Date: 1938
1. : extremely brief
2. : small and very compact