26984 words

folds

19 definitions • 30 examples
1
to bend something, especially paper or cloth, so that one part of it lies on the other part, or to be able to be bent in this way:

Examples:

fold something (in half) I folded the letter (in half) and put it in an envelope.
fold something (up) Will you help me to fold (up) the sheets?
The table folds up when not in use.
2
to wrap:

Examples:

fold someone in something She folded her baby in a blanket.
fold something around someone/something He folded his arms around her.
3
to bring your arms close to your chest and hold them together:

Examples:

He folded his arms and shook his head disapprovingly.
4
to move a part of your body into a position where it is close to your body:

Examples:

(be) folded under She sat with her legs folded under her.
5
(of a business) to close because of failure:

Examples:

Many small businesses fold within the first year.
6
a line or mark where paper, cloth, etc. was or is folded:

Examples:

Make a fold across the centre of the card.
7
a bend in a layer of rock under the earth's surface caused by movement there
8
a small area of a field surrounded by a fence where sheep can be put for shelter for the night
9
your home or an organization where you feel you belong:

Examples:

return to the fold Her children are all away at college now, but they always return to the fold during the holidays.
After the last election, the Republican Party tried to bring former conservatives back into the fold.
The team offered the star forward everything they could to bring her into the fold.
She was afraid that he'd become upset with the church and leave the fold.
They welcomed the newest family member into the fold.
10
having the stated number of parts, or multiplied by the stated number:

Examples:

threefold
fourfold
The problems are twofold - firstly, economic, and secondly, political.
In the last 50 years, there has been a 33-fold increase in the amount of pesticide used in farming.
11
to bend something such as paper or cloth so that one part of it lies on the other part, or to be able bend in this way:

Examples:

[ T ] He took his clothes out of the dryer and carefully folded them.
[ M ] She folded up the map and put it back in her bag.
[ I ] The tray table folds up so that it fits in a closet.
12
If you fold your hands or arms, you bring them together and cross them:

Examples:

[ T ] He folded his arms across his chest.
13
(of a business) to close because of failure:

Examples:

Many small businesses fold within the first year.
14
a line or mark where paper, cloth, etc. was or is folded:

Examples:

If you just make folds along the dotted lines, you can seal it and mail it as an envelope.
15
the safety or comfort of belonging to a group that shares the same beliefs:

Examples:

[ U ] The Democrats attracted many immigrants to the fold.
16
A fold is a fenced area on a farm where sheep are kept during the night.
17
having the stated number of parts, or multiplied by the stated number:

Examples:

There has been more than a 30-fold increase in Internet users in the past two years.
18
if a business folds, it closes because of failure:

Examples:

The company folded after four years, having made heavy losses.
19
having the stated number of parts, or multiplied by the stated number:

Examples:

The problems are twofold - firstly, economic, and secondly, political.
In the last 50 years, there has been a 33-fold increase in the amount of pesticide used in farming.

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