convex envelope

noun2

1. •
   Convex hull.

   • In E the closed convex envelope of a compact (resp. weakly compact) set is τ(E,E')-complete. — 1965
2. •
   For a given set S⊆ℝⁿ and real-valued function f defined on the convex hull conv(S), the highest-valued convex function that underestimates or equals f over S.

   • The concept of convex envelopes of nonconvex functions is a basic tool in theory and algorithms of global optimization, see e.g., Falk and Hoffman (1976), Horst and Tuy (1996), Horst et al. (2000). — 2005