pleat

[pleet]

See more synonyms for pleat on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

verb (used with object)

to fold or arrange in pleats.

Also plait.

Origin of pleat

1325–75; Middle English; variant of plait

Related formspleat·er, nounpleat·less, adjectiveun·pleat·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for pleat

gather, ruffle, tuck, crease, plait, crimp, flounce, flute, kilt, ruche

Examples from the Web for pleat

Contemporary Examples of pleat

Some have one pleat on each leg rather than double pleats, for example.
Back Away From the Pleats!
Justin Green
October 11, 2012

Historical Examples of pleat

Mrs Denton lifted the corner of her apron, and began to pleat it.
The Mynns' Mystery
George Manville Fenn
Take a short length of ribbon and pleat it once through the center.
Make Your Own Hats
Gene Allen Martin
This is made by turning the first pleat to the left and the next to the right.
Make Your Own Hats
Gene Allen Martin
And she did hope that pleat from the neck would look all right.
The History of David Grieve
Mrs. Humphry Ward
Having sloped off the lower corners of these parts, pleat them, and join them with the foundation.
Harper's Young People, May 18, 1880
Various

British Dictionary definitions for pleat

pleat

noun

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

verb

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

Word Origin for pleat

C16: variant of plait

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

Word Origin and History for pleat

1560s, used as the verb version of plait (n.) and probably representing an alternative pronunciation. Related: Pleated; pleating.

"a fold," 1580s, variant of plait (n.). With a gap in the printed record 17c.-18c., but probably it was in continuous oral use.