crease

[krees]

noun

1. a ridge or groove produced in anything by folding, heat, pressure, etc.; fold; furrow.

2. a wrinkle, especially one on the face.

3. the straight, vertical edge or line produced in the front and back of trousers, especially men's trousers, by pressing, as with a steam presser or iron.

4. Ice Hockey.,  the marked rectangular area in front of each goal cage, into which an offensive player can skate only if that player has the puck, if the puck is already within the area, or if the goalie is absent.

5. Cricket.

   1. bowling crease.

   2. popping crease.

verb (used with object)

creased, creasing 

1. to make a crease or creases in or on; wrinkle.

   Synonyms: fold, furrow, pucker, crimp

2. to wound or stun by a furrowing or superficial shot.

   The bullet merely creased his shoulder.

verb (used without object)

creased, creasing 

1. to become creased.

crease

¹

/ kriːs /

noun

1. a line or mark produced by folding, pressing, or wrinkling

2. a wrinkle or furrow, esp on the face

3. cricket any three lines near each wicket marking positions for the bowler or batsman See also bowling crease popping crease return crease

4. ice hockey the small rectangular area in front of each goal cage

5. Also called: goal crease. lacrosse the circular area surrounding the goal

verb

1. to make or become wrinkled or furrowed

2. (tr) to graze with a bullet, causing superficial injury

3. slang,  (often foll by up) to be or cause to be greatly amused

crease

²

/ kriːs /

noun

1. a rare spelling of kris

Other Word Forms

• creaseless adjective
• creaser noun
• uncreased adjective
• creasy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crease¹

1400–50; late Middle English creeste, crest, apparently special use of crest

Word History and Origins

Origin of crease¹

C15: from earlier crēst; probably related to Old French cresté wrinkled

Example Sentences

Ultimately fit to bat, he came to the crease at a time when England had failed to make the authoritative start they would have sought in their reply.

From BBC

"Enjoying being there at the crease for as long as you can and just a will to impact the game, that's how I see it," Salt said.

From BBC

Some of the remarks include notes like, “used to wear with big platform shoes,” “good for travel because it doesn’t crease,” “very art nouveau” and “I ended up with a passion for denim.”

From Los Angeles Times

Botox users in their 20s and early 30s hope to prevent lines forming in the first place, or to target a crease before it becomes a wrinkle.

From BBC

Superchargers skipper Brook came to the crease with 26 balls left in his side's innings and audaciously scooped his first ball from Tim Southee back over his own head for a breath-taking six.

From BBC

Related Words

• crinkle 
• pleat 
• pucker 
• wrinkle