involucrum

noun

in·​vo·​lu·​crum ˌin-və-ˈlü-krəm How to pronounce involucrum (audio)
plural involucra ˌin-və-ˈlü-krə How to pronounce involucrum (audio)
: a surrounding envelope or sheath

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin involūcrum, going back to Latin, "wrapper, cover, envelope," from involū-, variant stem of involvere "to move by rolling, roll back on itself, enclose in a covering, wrap up" + -crum, variant of -culum, instrumental suffix (going back to Indo-European *-tlom) before a preceding l — more at involve

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of involucrum was in 1657

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Involucrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/involucrum. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.

Medical Definition

involucrum

noun
in·​vo·​lu·​crum ˌin-və-ˈlü-krəm How to pronounce involucrum (audio)
plural involucra -krə How to pronounce involucrum (audio)
: a formation of new bone about a sequestrum (as in osteomyelitis)
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster