ˈplīkə noun
( plural pli·cae -īˌkē, -īˌsē)
Etymology: New Latin, from Medieval Latin, fold, plait, musical ligature, from Latin plicare to fold — more at ply
1. or plica po·lon·i·ca | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷pəˈlänə̇kə plural plicae poloni·cae -nəˌkē, -nəˌsē
[New Latin plica polonica, literally, Polish plait; from its frequent occurrence in Poland in the 17th century]
: a state of the hair in which it becomes twisted, matted, and crusted, usually as a result of neglect, filth, and infestation by vermin
2.
[Medieval Latin]
: a fold or folded part: as
a. : a groove or fold of skin
b. : a longitudinal fold in a bryophyte leaf or a sporangium
3.
[Medieval Latin]
: a ligature in medieval music