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   Fold

   /fōld/

   

   verb

   • 1. bend (something flexible and relatively flat) over on itself so that one part of it covers another: "she folded all her clothes and packed all her bags" Similar doubledouble overdouble upcreaseturn underturn upturn overbendoverlaptuckgatherpleatcrimpbunch
   • ▪ mix an ingredient gently with (another ingredient), especially by lifting a mixture with a spoon so as to enclose it without stirring or beating: "fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture" Similar mixblendstir gentlyenvelopintroducespoon
   • ▪ (of a piece of furniture or equipment) be able to be bent or rearranged into a flatter or more compact shape, typically in order to make it easier to store or carry: "the deck chair folds flat"
   • ▪ bend or rearrange (a piece of folding furniture or equipment): "he folded up his tripod"
   • ▪ be able to be opened out; unfold: "the sofa folds out"
   • ▪ cause (rock strata) to undergo bending or curvature: "a more active period of igneous activity caused intense folding"
   • 2. cover or wrap something in (a soft or flexible material): "a plastic bag was folded around the book"
   • ▪ hold or clasp (someone) closely in one's arms with passion or deep affection: "Bob folded her in his arms and kissed her" Similar enfoldwrapwrap upenveloptakegatherclaspsqueezeclutchembracehugcuddlecradleliterary:embosomarchaic:strain
   • 3. (of an enterprise or organization) cease operating as a result of financial problems or a lack of support: informal "the club folded earlier this year" Similar failcollapsecrashfounderbe ruinedcave ingo bankruptbecome insolventcease tradinggo into receivershipgo into liquidationbe liquidatedbe wound upbe closed (down)be shut (down)informal:go bustgo brokego bumpgo undergo to the wallgo belly upcome a cropperflopflatline
   • ▪ (especially of a sports player or team) suddenly stop performing well or effectively: "he folded in the second round"
   • ▪ (of a poker player) drop out of a hand: "an unerring knack for knowing when to fold and when to stay in"

   noun

   • 1. a form or shape produced by the gentle draping of a loose, full garment or piece of cloth: "the fabric fell in soft folds"
   • ▪ an area of skin that sags or hangs loosely.
   • 2. an undulation or gentle curve of the ground; a slight hill or hollow: British "the house lay in a fold of the hills"
   • ▪ a bend or curvature of strata.
   • 3. a line or crease produced in paper or cloth as the result of folding it.
   • ▪ a piece of paper or cloth that has been folded: "a fold of paper slipped out of the diary"

   Word Origin Old Englishfalden, fealden, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vouwen and German falten.

   Derivatives

   • 1. foldable adjective

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • F

     4

   • O

     1

   • L

     1

   • D

     2

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