pleat

American  

[pleet] / plit /

noun

1. a fold of definite, even width made by doubling cloth or the like upon itself and pressing or stitching it in place.

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verb (used with object)

1. to fold or arrange in pleats.

pleat British  

/ pliːt /

noun

1. any of various types of fold formed by doubling back fabric and pressing, stitching, or steaming into place See also box pleat inverted pleat kick pleat knife pleat sunburst pleats

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verb

1. (tr) to arrange (material, part of a garment, etc) in pleats

Other Word Forms

• pleater
  noun
• pleatless
  adjective
• unpleated
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of pleat

1325–75; Middle English; variant of plait

Explanation

A pleat is a creased fold in fabric. Your long wool coat might have a single pleat in back, down toward the hem. Some pleats are creased sharply, or even stitched firmly in place, while others are looser. The pleats in a little girl's frilly dress or in a skirt that has pleats all the way around might be called "accordion pleats," while a kilt usually has one "box pleat" in the back, with simple "knife pleats" on either side. Pleat is also a verb, meaning "to make or sew a pleat."

Example Sentences

"When Karen scored, I just ran backwards down the tunnel like David Pleat in reverse. I shouted something and ran back to the foot of the tunnel," recalls Stone.

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2022

The international feed commentary of Tony Jones and David Pleat will be used for the game.

From Washington Times • May 31, 2019

“Some players might respond to it you never know‚“ says David Pleat, the former Tottenham manager and director of football.

From The Guardian • Sep. 23, 2016

“It’s not a question of affection and loyalty, it’s a matter of whether they have the capacity, the aptitude and the time,” said Tara A. Pleat, a lawyer on special needs in Clifton Park, N.Y.

From New York Times • Mar. 27, 2015

Pleat them very close at the center, sew together, finish the single petal the same and add it to the four petals.

From Make Your Own Hats by Martin, Gene Allen