1. v. & n.
--v.
1. tr. a bend or close (a flexible thing) over upon itself. b (foll. by back, over, down) bend a part of (a flexible thing) in the manner specified (fold down the flap).
2 intr. become or be able to be folded.
3 tr. (foll. by away, up) make compact by folding.
4 intr. (often foll. by up) colloq. a collapse, disintegrate. b (of an enterprise) fail; go bankrupt.
5 tr. poet. embrace (esp. fold in the arms or to the breast).
6 tr. (foll. by about, round) clasp (the arms); wrap, envelop.
7 tr. (foll. by in) mix (an ingredient with others) using a gentle cutting and turning motion.
--n.
1. the act or an instance of folding.
2 a line made by or for folding.
3 a folded part.
4 a hollow among hills.
5 Geol. a curvature of strata.
Phrases and idioms:
fold one's arms place one's arms across the chest, side by side or entwined. fold one's hands clasp them. folding door a door with jointed sections, folding on itself when opened. folding money esp. US colloq. banknotes. fold-out an oversize page in a book etc. to be unfolded by the reader.
Derivatives:
foldable adj.
Etymology: OE falden, fealden f. Gmc 2. n. & v.
--n.
1. SHEEPFOLD.
2 a body of believers or members of a Church.
--v.tr. enclose (sheep) in a fold.
Etymology: OE fald