to bend (cloth, paper, etc.) over upon itself.

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.

to bring (the arms, hands, etc.) together in an intertwined or crossed manner; clasp; cross

He folded his arms on his chest.

to bend or wind (usually fol. by about, round, etc.)

to fold one's arms about a person's neck.

to bring (the wings) close to the body, as a bird on alighting.

to enclose; wrap; envelop

to fold something in paper.

to embrace or clasp; enfold

to fold someone in one's arms.

Cards . to place (one's cards) facedown so as to withdraw from the play.

Informal . to bring to an end; close up

The owner decided to fold the business and retire.

to be folded or be capable of folding

The doors fold back.

Cards . to place one's cards facedown so as to withdraw from the play.

Informal . to fail in business; be forced to close

The newspaper folded after 76 years.

Informal . to yield or give in

Dad folded and said we could go after all.

a part that is folded; pleat; layer

folds of cloth.

a crease made by folding

He cut the paper along the fold.

a hollow made by folding

to carry something in the fold of one's dress.

a hollow place in undulating ground

a fold of the mountains.

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).

Journalism .

the line formed along the horizontal center of a standard-sized newspaper when it is folded after printing.

a rough-and-ready dividing line, esp. on the front page and other principal pages, between stories of primary and lesser importance.

a coil of a serpent, string, etc.

the act of folding or doubling over.

Anatomy . a margin or ridge formed by the folding of a membrane or other flat body part; plica. ?

fold in, Cookery . to mix in or add (an ingredient) by gently turning one part over another

Fold in the egg whites.

fold up, Informal .

to break down; collapse

He folded up when the prosecutor discredited his story.

to fail, esp. to go out of business.

verb

flatten , leave , unbend , free , let out , loose , loosen , achieve , succeed

noun

bend , circumvolution , cockle , convolution , corrugation , crease , crimp , crinkle , dog’s ear , flection , flexure , furrow , gather , gathering , groove , knife-edge , lap , lapel , layer , loop , overlap , plait , pleat , plica , plication , plicature , ply , pucker , ridge , rimple , rivel , ruche , ruck , ruffle , rumple , shirring , smocking , tuck , turn , wrinkle , crumple , congregation , cote , doubling , embrace , gyri , sheep-pen , volution

verb

bend , cockle , corrugate , crimp , crisp , crumple , curl , dog-ear , double , double over , furrow , gather , groove , hem , intertwine , knit , lap , overlap , overlay , plait , pleat , plicate , pucker , purse , replicate , ridge , ruche , ruck , ruffle , telescope , tuck , turn under , wrinkle , do up , enfold , entwine , envelop , involve , wrap , wrap up , become insolvent , be ruined , break , bust , collapse , crash , give , go bankrupt , go bust , go into chapter 11 , go under * , impoverish , pauper , pauperize , shut down , yield , crease , ply , fail , go under , bow , buckle , capitulate , submit , surrender , crack , snap , clasp , close , concertina , crinkle , drape , embosom , embrace , enclosure , envelope , flap , flock , group , infold , lapel , layer , loop , pen , quill , rimple , surround , turn , withdraw