infold

The mother gently infolds the baby in a soft blanket.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To wrap or envelop: "infold" means to enclose or surround something, often by folding or wrapping it within something else.
   • To fold inward: It can also mean to fold something so that its edges or parts come together inside.

Usage Examples

• To wrap or envelop:

  • The mist began to infold the valley, hiding the houses from view. (The mist wrapped around the valley, covering it completely.)
  • She used a soft blanket to infold the baby, keeping him warm. (She wrapped the baby tightly in the blanket.)

• To fold inward:

  • The petals of the flower infold at night to protect the center. (The petals fold inward, closing the flower.)
  • He watched the paper infold as he pressed it, creating a neat crease. (He folded the paper inward, making a sharp line.)

Advanced Usage

• "to infold in one's arms": to embrace or hold closely.

  • The mother infolded her child in her arms for comfort. (She held the child tightly in an embrace.)

• "to infold within": to contain or include as a part of a larger whole.

  • The story infolds many layers of meaning within its simple plot. (The story contains multiple layers of meaning inside itself.)

Variants and Related Words

• Infolding (n): the act of folding inward or wrapping.

  • The infolding of the map was difficult after it had been wet. (The process of folding it inward was hard.)

• Infolded (adj): wrapped or folded inward.

  • The infolded edges of the paper gave it a neat appearance. (The edges that were folded inward looked tidy.)

Synonyms

• Envelop: to completely surround or cover.
• Enclose: to shut in or surround on all sides.
• Wrap: to cover or enclose with something.

Phrasal Verbs

• Infold into: to fold or wrap something into another object or material.

  • She infolded the herbs into the dough before baking. (She wrapped the herbs inside the dough.)

• Infold around: to wrap or curl around something.

  • The vines infolded around the old fence post. (The vines twisted and wrapped around the post.)

Related Idioms

• Infold the heart: a poetic or metaphorical expression meaning to keep emotions hidden or private.
  • He infolded his heart, never revealing his true feelings. (He kept his emotions closed off and hidden.)