fold

¹fold

noun \ˈfōld\

Definition of FOLD

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

Origin of FOLD

Middle English, from Old English falod; akin to Old Saxon faled enclosure

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with FOLD

bold, bowled, cold, gold, hold, mold, old, polled, scold, soled, souled, wold

²fold

transitive verb

Definition of FOLD

: to pen up or confine (as sheep) in a fold

First Known Use of FOLD

before 12th century

³fold

verb

Definition of FOLD

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

Origin of FOLD

Middle English, from Old English fealdan; akin to Old High German faldan to fold, Greek diplasios twofold

First Known Use: before 12th century

⁴fold

noun

Definition of FOLD

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)

Illustration of FOLD

First Known Use of FOLD

13th century

fold

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In geology, an undulation or wave in the stratified rocks of the Earth's crust. Stratified rocks were originally formed from sediments that were deposited in flat, horizontal sheets, although in some places the strata are no longer horizontal but have warped. The warping may be so gentle that the inclination of the strata is barely perceptible, or it may be so pronounced that the strata of the two flanks are essentially parallel or nearly flat. Folds vary widely in size; the tops of large folds are commonly eroded away on the Earth's surface.