/ ræp; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb ( -pp- )
1.
[ vn ] wrap sth (up) (in sth) to cover sth completely in paper or other material, for example when you are giving it as a present :
He spent the evening wrapping up the Christmas presents.
individually wrapped chocolates
—see also gift-wrap
2.
[ vn ] wrap A (up) in B | wrap B round / around A to cover sth/sb in material, for example in order to protect it/them :
I wrapped the baby (up) in a blanket.
I wrapped a blanket around the baby.
Wrap the meat in foil before you cook it.
—see also shrink-wrapped
3.
[ vn ] wrap sth around / round sth/sb to put sth firmly around sth/sb :
A scarf was wrapped around his neck.
His arms were wrapped around her waist.
4.
wrap (sth) (around / round) ( computing ) to cause text to be carried over to a new line automatically as you reach the end of the previous line; to be carried over in this way :
[ vn ]
How can I wrap the text around?
[ v ]
The text wraps around if it is too long to fit the screen.
—compare unwrap
•
IDIOMS
- be wrapped up in sb/sth
—more at little finger
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- wrap up | wrap it up
- wrap up | wrap sb / yourself up
- wrap sth up
■ noun
1.
[ C ] a piece of cloth that a woman wears around her shoulders for decoration or to keep warm
2.
[ U ] paper, plastic, etc. that is used for wrapping things in :
We stock a wide range of cards and gift wrap .
—see also plastic wrap
3.
[ sing. ] used when making a film / movie to say that filming has finished :
Cut! That's a wrap.
4.
[ C ] a type of sandwich made with a cold tortilla rolled around meat or vegetables
•
IDIOMS
- under wraps
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : of unknown origin.