crease Hear it!

crease¹ Definition

crease (krēs)

noun

  1. a line, mark, or ridge made by folding and pressing cloth, paper, etc. the crease in trousers
  2. a fold or wrinkle creases in a jowl
  3. Cricket any of the lines that mark off the station of the batsman or of the bowler
  4. Hockey, Lacrosse an area marked off by lines in front of or around the goal cage, which cannot be entered by players on the offense except under certain conditions

Etymology: earlier creaste, lit., ridge < ME creste, crece, crest

transitive verb creased, creas′·ing

  1. to fold and make a crease in
  2. to wrinkle; muss
  3. ☆ to graze and injure slightly with a bullet

intransitive verb

to become creased

crease¹ Related Forms

creas′er noun creas′y adjective

crease² Definition

crease (krēs)

noun

kris

crease Synonyms

crease

n.

tuck, ridge, pleat; see fold 2, wrinkle.

crease Synonyms

crease

v.

double, rumple, crimp; see fold 2, wrinkle 1.

crease Usage Examples

Object

  • spine: The walls of this cave-like shop are furnished with a rainbow of creased spines and yellowing pages.
  • smile: The typical small town in Paraguay is a montage of peeling paintwork, dusty streets and weatherworn faces with gently creased smiles.
  • face: His wizened face creased with emotions and he did not stop the tears coursing down as he introduced me to his family.

Converse of object

  • occupy: He could occupy the crease for long hours, with playing out time often more critical than scoring at a quick pace.
  • remove: Once the water just covers the bottom of the pool, we pull out the bottom from the edges to remove any creases.
  • pop: It is now deemed to commence 5 feet in front of the popping crease.
  • iron: It makes life easier to iron the creases into the silk.

Adjective modifier

  • sharp: Score down line 5 and then line 2. Fold and scrape the spine to form a sharp crease.
  • single: Pull on to you get a single crease across the foot of the sail.
  • few: A few creases in my forehead, crow's feet at the corners of my eyes.

Modifies a noun

  • pattern: Unfold the model back to the original square of paper and analyze the crease pattern of mountain and valley folds.
  • mark: The silk fabric for the background was found to have a crease mark which no amount of ironing would remove.

Modifying Another Word

  • lightly: This is a near fine copy with a lightly creased front cover.
  • slightly: DJ has a couple of tears, slightly creased.
  • in: Your insurance premiums can be in creased or insurance cover may actually be refused.
  • well: Both rear quarters damaged, with damage also to the nearside wing, front bumper, and a well creased bonnet.

Noun used with modifier

  • wrist: At the distal wrist crease it enters the carpal tunnel where it should not be blocked ( neuritis may result ).
  • skin: Their skin creases should ideally be cleaned daily, especially in the fold above the nose.

Used with why or when

when: For practical reasons the dress should be easy to pack and resist creasing when crushed.

Followed by an intransitive particle

up: They would either crease up laughing or just wouldn't get it.