noun

1. Obsolete a small case or sheath
2. ☆ a small, soluble gelatin container for enclosing a dose of medicine
3. ☆
   1. an ejectable airplane cockpit
   2. a detachable, closed compartment designed to hold and protect people, instruments, etc. in a rocket
      in full space capsule
4. Anat.
   1. any sac or membrane enclosing an organ or part
   2. either of two layers of cerebral white matter
5. a case or pod, containing seeds, spores, or carpels; esp., a dry dehiscent fruit
6. Chem. any shallow dish or tray for evaporating liquids

Etymology: Fr < L capsula, dim. of capsa, box: see case

adjective

transitive verb capsuled -·suled, capsuling -·sul·ing