fold

Fold is defined as to bend to bring one part over another.

(verb)

The definition of a fold is a crease, something that has been bended or the act of bending one part over another.

(noun)

An example of a fold is a crease in a piece of construction paper.

See fold in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

1. to bend or press (something) so that one part is over another; double up on itself: to fold a sheet
2. to make more compact by so doubling a number of times
to draw together and intertwine: to fold the arms
to draw (wings) close to the body
to clasp in the arms; embrace
to wrap up; envelop

Origin: ME folden < OE faldan (WS fealdan), akin to Ger falten < IE *pel-to < base *pel-, to fold > (sim)ple, (tri)ple

intransitive verb

to be or become folded
☆ Informal to fail; specif.,
1. to be forced to close, as a business, play, etc.
2. to succumb, as to exhaustion; collapse
☆ Poker to withdraw from the betting on a hand, specif. by turning over one's exposed cards

noun

noun

Origin: ME < OE fald, akin to Du vaalt, enclosed place, Dan fold, sheep pen

transitive verb

to keep or confine in a pen

Origin: ME -fold, -fald < OE -feald: see fold

See fold in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb fold·ed, fold·ing, folds

verb, transitive

To bend over or double up so that one part lies on another part: fold a sheet of paper.
To make compact by doubling or bending over parts: folded the laundry; folded the chairs for stacking.
To bring from an extended to a closed position: The hawk folded its wings.
To bring from a compact to an extended position; unfold: folded the ironing board down from the wall; folded out the map to see where we were.
To place together and intertwine: fold one's arms.
To envelop or clasp; enfold: folded his children to his breast; folded the check into the letter.
To blend (a light ingredient) into a heavier mixture with a series of gentle turns: folded the beaten egg whites into the batter.
a. Informal To discontinue operating; close: They had to fold the company a year after they started it.
b. Games To withdraw (one's hand) in defeat, as by laying cards face down on a table.
Geology To form bends in (a stratum of rock).

verb, intransitive

a. To become folded.
b. To be capable of being folded: a bed that folds for easy storage.
Informal To close, especially for lack of financial success; fail.
Games To withdraw from a game in defeat.
Informal
a. To give in; buckle: a team that never folded under pressure.
b. To weaken or collapse from exertion.

noun

The act or an instance of folding.
A part that has been folded over or against another: the loose folds of the drapery; clothes stacked in neat folds.
A line or mark made by folding; a crease: tore the paper carefully along the fold.
A coil or bend, as of rope.
Chiefly British A hill or dale in undulating country.
Geology A bend in a stratum of rock.
Anatomy A crease or ridge apparently formed by folding, as of a membrane; a plica.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English folden

Origin: , from Old English fealdan, faldan; see pel-² in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

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fold¹

top: isocline fold

center: overfold

bottom: recumbent fold

noun

A fenced enclosure for domestic animals, especially sheep.
A flock of sheep.
a. A group of people or institutions bound together by common beliefs and aims: “He is a living testament to the wisdom of admitting lay psychoanalysts into the official fold” (Jerome Bruner).
b. A religious congregation: The priest welcomed new parishioners into the fold.