fold

1. to bend (cloth, paper, etc.) over upon itself.
2. to bring into a compact form by bending and laying parts together (often followed 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; cross; entwine:

   He folded his arms on his chest.

4. to bend or wind (usually followed 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.

1. to be folded or be capable of folding:

   The doors fold back.

2. Cards. to place one's cards facedown so as to withdraw from the play.
3. Informal. to fail in business; be forced to close:

   The newspaper folded after 76 years.

4. Informal. to yield or give in:

   Dad folded and said we could go after all.

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. Geology. 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).
6. Journalism.
   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, especially 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. Anatomy. a margin or ridge formed by the folding of a membrane or other flat body part; plica.

verb phrase

1. Informal.
   1. to break down; collapse:

      He folded up when the prosecutor discredited his story.

   2. to fail, especially to go out of business.
2. Cooking. to mix in or add (an ingredient) by gently turning one part over another:

   Fold in the egg whites.

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.

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.