fold: Meaning and Definition of

fold

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. to place (one's cards) facedown so as to withdraw from the play.
9. to bring to an end; close up: The owner decided to fold the business and retire.

1. to be folded or be capable of folding: The doors fold back.
2. to place one's cards facedown so as to withdraw from the play.
3. to fail in business; be forced to close: The newspaper folded after 76 years.
4. to yield or give in: Dad folded and said we could go after all.
5. to mix in or add (an ingredient) by gently turning one part over another: Fold in the egg whites.
6. He folded up when the prosecutor discredited his story.
1. to break down; collapse:He folded up when the prosecutor discredited his story.
2. to fail, esp. to go out of business.

1. a part that is folded; pleat; layer: folds of cloth.
2. a crease made by folding: He cut the paper along the fold.
3. a hollow made by folding: to carry something in the fold of one's dress.
4. a hollow place in undulating ground: a fold of the mountains.
5. 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).
1. the line formed along the horizontal center of a standard-sized newspaper when it is folded after printing.
2. a rough-and-ready dividing line, esp. on the front page and other principal pages, between stories of primary and lesser importance.
7. a coil of a serpent, string, etc.
8. the act of folding or doubling over.
9. a margin or ridge formed by the folding of a membrane or other flat body part; plica.

fold

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.

1. to confine (sheep or other domestic animals) in a fold.

-fold

1. a native English suffix meaning “of so many parts,” or denoting multiplication by the number indicated by the stem or word to which the suffix is attached: twofold; manifold.