fold 1
— foldable , adj.
/fohld/ , v.t.
1. to bend (cloth, paper, etc.) over upon itself.
2. to bring into a compact form by bending and laying parts together (often fol. by up ): to fold up a map; to fold one's legs under oneself.
3. to bring (the arms, hands, etc.) together in an intertwined or crossed manner; clasp; cross: He folded his arms on his chest.
4. to bend or wind (usually fol. by about, round, etc.): to fold one's arms about a person's neck.
5. to bring (the wings) close to the body, as a bird on alighting.
6. to enclose; wrap; envelop: to fold something in paper.
7. to embrace or clasp; enfold: to fold someone in one's arms.
8. Cards. to place (one's cards) facedown so as to withdraw from the play.
9. Informal. to bring to an end; close up: The owner decided to fold the business and retire.
v.i.
10. to be folded or be capable of folding: The doors fold back.
11. Cards. to place one's cards facedown so as to withdraw from the play.
12. Informal. to fail in business; be forced to close: The newspaper folded after 76 years.
13. Informal. to yield or give in: Dad folded and said we could go after all.
14. fold in , Cookery. to mix in or add (an ingredient) by gently turning one part over another: Fold in the egg whites.
15. fold up , Informal.
a. to break down; collapse: He folded up when the prosecutor discredited his story.
b. to fail, esp. to go out of business.
n.
16. a part that is folded; pleat; layer: folds of cloth.
17. a crease made by folding: He cut the paper along the fold.
18. a hollow made by folding: to carry something in the fold of one's dress.
19. a hollow place in undulating ground: a fold of the mountains.
20. Geol. a portion of strata that is folded or bent, as an anticline or syncline, or that connects two horizontal or parallel portions of strata of different levels (as a monocline).
21. Journalism.
a. the line formed along the horizontal center of a standard-sized newspaper when it is folded after printing.
b. a rough-and-ready dividing line, esp. on the front page and other principal pages, between stories of primary and lesser importance.
22. a coil of a serpent, string, etc.
23. the act of folding or doubling over.
24. Anat. a margin or ridge formed by the folding of a membrane or other flat body part; plica.
[ bef. 900; (v.) ME folden, falden, OE faldan; c. G. falten; (v.) ME fald, deriv. of the n.; akin to L plicare to fold, plectere to PLAIT, twine, Gk plékein; cf. -FOLD ]
fold 2
/fohld/ , n.
1. an enclosure for sheep or, occasionally, other domestic animals.
2. the sheep kept within it.
3. a flock of sheep.
4. a church.
5. the members of a church; congregation: He preached to the fold.
6. a group sharing common beliefs, values, etc.: He rejoined the fold after his youthful escapade.
v.t.
7. to confine (sheep or other domestic animals) in a fold.
[ bef. 900; ME fold, fald, OE fald, falod; akin to OS faled pen, enclosure, MLG valt pen, enclosure, manure heap, MD vaelt, vaelde ]