Fold Meaning
Fold Definition & Usage
To bend something, typically a flat object such as paper, fabric, or a piece of clothing, by bringing two parts together.
Examples
- "She carefully folded the letter and placed it in the envelope."
- "After washing the clothes, he folded them neatly before putting them away."
- "The artist folded the canvas to create a dramatic effect for his sculpture."
- "Please fold the napkins into neat triangles before serving dinner."
- "He folded the map in half and shoved it into his bag."
To collapse or close up something, typically a larger structure, by bending or bringing its parts together.
Examples
- "The tent folds up easily and fits into the carry bag."
- "When the chair is not in use, you can fold it to save space."
- "They folded the table down after the event was over."
- "The phone's screen folds in half when closed."
- "The director ordered the stage crew to fold the set after the performance."
To include or encompass something, often metaphorically, within a structure, organization, or process.
Examples
- "The new program folds in various aspects of environmental sustainability."
- "The restaurant's menu folds in both vegetarian and vegan options."
- "The contract folds in additional clauses that were not discussed initially."
- "Her presentation folded in all the data from the last quarter."
- "The project manager folded in suggestions from all team members."
A crease or bend in something, particularly paper or fabric.
Examples
- "There was a fold in the corner of the page where it had been creased."
- "She pressed the fabric along the fold to make sure it was crisp."
- "The map had several folds, making it difficult to read."
- "There was a fold in the cardboard, which weakened its structure."
- "The photographer adjusted the lighting to highlight the folds in the fabric."
Cultural Context
The word 'fold' originates from Old English 'faldan,' which means 'to fold' or 'to bend.' It has been used for centuries to describe the action of bending or creasing materials, and it carries a metaphorical meaning of incorporation or inclusion. Over time, the use of 'fold' expanded into various contexts, including fashion (folds in clothing), technology (foldable devices), and business (folding in ideas or contributions).
The Folding of Ideas
Story
The Folding of Ideas
In a bustling city, Emma had just started a new job at a creative agency. Her first task was to design a product launch campaign for a new tech gadget that could fold in half. As she sat at her desk, looking at the marketing brief, Emma began to fold the paper in front of her nervously. She thought about the product and how its unique folding design was not just a feature but a statement about flexibility and adaptability. She reflected on how the word 'fold' had so many meanings. The product could literally fold, but it also symbolized the integration of different elements—technology, design, and innovation—into one cohesive idea. As the meeting began, Emma presented her campaign, folding in the data from the market research, illustrating how the new gadget would fold into the lifestyle of its users. 'It's not just a product,' Emma said with confidence. 'It's a solution that folds flexibility into everyday life.' The team nodded in agreement, impressed by her approach. In the end, the campaign was a huge success, and the product launch was a standout in the industry. Emma realized that in both her work and in life, the key to success often lay in the ability to fold different ideas and perspectives together to create something greater than the sum of its parts.
Related Words
