capsule

noun

1. A membranous envelope.
2. A type of simple, dehiscent, dry fruit (seed-case) produced by many species of flowering plants, such as poppy, lily, orchid, willow and cotton.
3. A sporangium, especially in bryophytes.

   “The epidermal cells of the capsule wall of Jubulopsis, with nodose "trigones" at the angles, are very reminiscent of what one finds in Frullania spp.”

4. A tough, fibrous layer surrounding an organ such as the kidney or liver
5. A membrane that surrounds the eyeball
6. A detachable part of a rocket or spacecraft (usually in the nose) containing the crew's living space.
7. A small container containing a dose of medicine.
8. (attributive, figuratively)in a brief, condensed or compact form

   “If this capsule history of our progress teaches us anything, it is that man, in his quest for knowledge and progress, is determined and cannot be deterred.”

9. The covering — formerly lead or tin, now often plastic — over the cork at the top of the wine bottle.
10. (dated)A small clay saucer for roasting or melting samples of ores, etc.; a scorifier.
11. A small, shallow evaporating dish, usually of porcelain.
12. A small cup or shell, often of metal, for a percussion cap, cartridge, etc.
13. One of the very small rooms for guests in a capsule hotel.

verb

1. (transitive)To form (medicine, etc.) into capsules.
2. (transitive)To encapsulate or summarize.