To bend or crease something so that one part covers another, or to fail or collapse completely.
From Old English 'fealdan' meaning to fold or wrap. Related to German 'falten' and Dutch 'vouwen', all from Proto-Germanic root meaning to bend or double over.
The word 'fold' beautifully captures both physical and metaphorical meanings - from origami's precise creases to a business 'folding' under pressure. Interestingly, sheep pens were called 'folds' because they were enclosed by folded hurdles or barriers.
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