Fold

n. [A-S. feald, fīda, fāled, falod, falud, from fealdan, to fold up, wrap; O. H. Ger. vald, valt, M. H. Ger. valde, valte, N. H. Ger. falte, Icel. falld, Dan. fold, folde, Sw. fäll, fälla. See FOLD, v. t. In comp. A-S. -feald, Goth. -faltho, Ger. -falt, -fältig, -fällig.]

1. A doubling of any flexible substance; a part laid over on another part; a fold; a plication.
2. Times or repetitions;—used with numerals, chiefly in composition, to denote multiplication or increase in a geometrical ratio, the doubling, tripling, &c., of any thing; as, four-fold, four times, increased in a quadruple ratio, multiplied by four.
3. That which is folded together, or which infolds or envelops; embrace. “Shall from your neck unloose his amorous fold.” Shak.
4. An inclosure in which sheep or like animals are kept; a sheep-pen.

Leaps o’er the fence with ease into the fold. Milton. 5. A boundary; a limit. [Obs.] Creech.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. FOLDED; p. pr. & vb. n. FOLDING.] [A-S. fealdan, Goth. falþan, Icel. falda, Dan. folde, Sw. fälla, O. H. Ger. faldan, faltan, N. H. Ger. falten, M. H. Ger. valden, valten.] 1. To lap or lay in plaits; to lay one part over another part of; to double; as, to fold a piece of cloth. Folded the writ up in the form of the other. Shak. The scaly horror of his folded tail. Milton.

2. To double or lay together, as the arms or the hands; as, he folds his arms in despair.
3. To inclose within folds or plaitings; to envelop; to infold. “A face folded in sorrow.” J. Webster.

We will descend and fold him in our arms. Shak. 4. To confine in a fold, as sheep.