I. ˈfōld noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English falod; akin to Old Saxon faled enclosure
Date: before 12th century
1. : an enclosure for sheep
2.
a. : a flock of sheep
b. : a group of people or institutions that share a common faith, belief, activity, or enthusiasm
II. transitive verb
Date: before 12th century
: to pen up or confine (as sheep) in a fold
III. verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English fealdan; akin to Old High German faldan to fold, Greek di plasios twofold
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1. : to lay one part over another part of
fold a letter
2. : to reduce the length or bulk of by doubling over
fold a tent
3. : to clasp together : entwine
fold the hands
4. : to clasp or enwrap closely : embrace
5. : to bend (as a layer of rock) into folds
6.
a. : to incorporate (a food ingredient) into a mixture by repeated gentle overturnings without stirring or beating
b. : to incorporate closely
7.
a. : to concede defeat by withdrawing (one's cards) from play (as in poker)
b. : to bring to an end
intransitive verb
1. : to become doubled or pleated
2. : to fail completely : collapse ; especially : to go out of business
3. : to fold one's cards (as in poker)
• fold·able ˈfōl-də-bəl adjective
IV. noun
Date: 13th century
1. : a part doubled or laid over another part : pleat
2. : something that is folded together or that enfolds
3.
a. : a bend or flexure produced in rock by forces operative after the depositing or consolidation of the rock
b. chiefly British : an undulation in the landscape
4. : a margin apparently formed by the doubling upon itself of a flat anatomical structure (as a membrane)
5. : a crease made by folding something (as a newspaper)
[
fold 3a
]