early 14c., "to surround (something with something else)," from lap (n.1). Figurative use, "to envelop (in love, sin, desire, etc.)" is from mid-14c. Meaning "lay one part over another, lay in such a way as to cover part of something underneath" is from c. 1600. The sense of "to get a lap ahead (of a competitor) on a track" is from 1847, on notion of "overlapping" (see lap (n.2)). Related: Lapped; lapping.

late 14c., "something used for rolling or folding together or enveloping;" mid-15c., "action of wrapping;" verbal noun from wrap (v.). Wrapping-paper is attested by 1715.

"summary," 1947, from the verbal phrase; see wrap (v.) + up (adv.). To wrap up "put an end to" is from 1926. To be wrapped up in figuratively (by 1889) is to be bound up with or in or entirely associated with. To be wrapped in error is from c. 1400.

also inwrap, late 14c., from en- (1) "make, put in" + wrap (v.). Related: Enwrapped; enwrapping.

1928, from gift (n.) + wrap (n.). Related: Gift-wrapped.

late 14c., unwrappen, "undo (clothing); disclose, reveal, open up what is folded or wrapped," from un- (2) "opposite of" + wrap (v.). Related: Unwrapped; unwrapping.

also wrap-around, 1877 as a type of garment, from verbal phrase; see wrap (v.) + around (adv.). As an adjective by 1937. In reference to a style of sunglasses, goggles, etc., by 1966.

late 15c., wrappere, "that with which anything is enclosed" (in oldest reference "piece of fine cloth used for wrapping bread"), agent noun from wrap (v.).

As a type of loose garment for the person, by 1734. In reference to any disposable protective covering by 1808. Specifically as a protective cover for a delivered newspaper, magazine, etc. by 1846.

Proto-Indo-European root forming words meaning "to turn, bend."

It might form all or part of: adverse; anniversary; avert; awry; controversy; converge; converse (adj.) "exact opposite;" convert; diverge; divert; evert; extroversion; extrovert; gaiter; introrse; introvert; invert; inward; malversation; obverse; peevish; pervert; prose; raphe; reverberate; revert; rhabdomancy; rhapsody; rhombus; ribald; sinistrorse; stalwart; subvert; tergiversate; transverse; universe; verbena; verge (v.1) "tend, incline;" vermeil; vermicelli; vermicular; vermiform; vermin; versatile; verse (n.) "poetry;" version; verst; versus; vertebra; vertex; vertigo; vervain; vortex; -ward; warp; weird; worm; worry; worth (adj.) "significant, valuable, of value;" worth (v.) "to come to be;" wrangle; wrap; wrath; wreath; wrench; wrest; wrestle; wriggle; wring; wrinkle; wrist; writhe; wrong; wroth; wry.

It might also be the source of: Sanskrit vartate "turns round, rolls;" Avestan varet- "to turn;" Hittite hurki- "wheel;" Greek rhatane "stirrer, ladle;" Latin vertere (frequentative versare) "to turn, turn back, be turned; convert, transform, translate; be changed," versus "turned toward or against;" Old Church Slavonic vrŭteti "to turn, roll," Russian vreteno "spindle, distaff;" Lithuanian verčiu, versti "to turn;" German werden, Old English weorðan "to become;" Old English -weard "toward," originally "turned toward," weorthan "to befall," wyrd "fate, destiny," literally "what befalls one;" Welsh gwerthyd "spindle, distaff;" Old Irish frith "against."