Fold \Fold\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Folded; p. pr. & vb. n. Folding.]

[OE. folden, falden, AS. fealdan; akin to OHG. faltan, faldan, G. falten, Icel. falda, Dan. folde, Sw. f[*a]lla, Goth. fal?an, cf. Gr.? twofold, Skr. pu?a a fold. Cf. Fauteuil.]

1. To lap or lay in plaits or folds; to lay one part over another part of; to double; as, to fold cloth; to fold a letter.

As a vesture shalt thou fold them up. --Heb. i. 12.

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; to clasp; to embrace.

A face folded in sorrow. --J. Webster.

We will descend and fold him in our arms. --Shak.

4. To cover or wrap up; to conceal.

Nor fold my fault in cleanly coined excuses. --Shak.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Folding \Fold"ing\, n.

1. The act of making a fold or folds; also, a fold; a doubling; a plication.

The lower foldings of the vest. --Addison.

2. (Agric.) The keepig of sheep in inclosures on arable land, etc.

Folding boat, a portable boat made by stretching canvas, etc., over jointed framework, used in campaigning, and by tourists, etc. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.

Folding chair, a chair which may be shut up compactly for carriage or stowage; a camp chair.

Folding door, one of two or more doors filling a single and hung upon hinges.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)