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Synonyms

enfold

American  
[en-fohld] / ɛnˈfoʊld /

verb (used with object)

  1. to wrap up; envelop.

    to enfold someone in a cloak.

  2. to surround as if with folds.

    He wished to enfold her in the warmth of his love. What happened is enfolded in mystery.

  3. to hug or clasp; embrace.

    She enfolded him in her arms.

  4. to form into a fold or folds.

    The material of the skirt had been enfolded to form a loose, graceful drape.


enfold British  
/ ɪnˈfəʊld /

verb

  1. to cover by enclosing

  2. to embrace

  3. to form with or as with folds

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of enfold

First recorded in 1585–95; en- 1 + fold 1

Explanation

To enfold is to wrap, envelop, or surround. You might enfold a baby in a blanket, or enfold a puppy in your arms. When you enfold something, you either wrap it in a cloth or covering, or you mimic this action literally — with your arms — or figuratively. You could say, for example, that as you walk home at sunset, the night begins to enfold your neighborhood. Or you can say that you love when your grandma enfolds you in a hug. The verb enfold combines the prefix en-, "make or put in" with fold.

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Vocabulary lists containing enfold

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Researchers from Enfold Proactive Health Trust, a child rights charity, studied 7,064 Pocso court judgements delivered between 2016 and 2020 in three Indian states - West Bengal, Assam and Maharashtra.

From BBC • Dec. 13, 2022

Enfold Women’s ready-to-wear from Japan with a sense of relaxed simplicity.

From New York Times • Nov. 10, 2016

The complaint was lodged on Thursday night, after the envoy's wife approached the Bangalore-based non-governmental organisation, Enfold India, for help.

From BBC • Jun. 18, 2012

In fact, Let It Enfold You is so polished, both musically and lyrically that you'd think this is the fifth, not first, full-length from Senses Fail.

From Time Magazine Archive

Love’s vesture shall Enfold me as I go!

From Semiramis and Other Plays Semiramis, Carlotta And The Poet by Dargan, Olive Tilford