befold

befold means to fold up; fold around; wrap up; envelop.

Etymology

From Middle English bifealden, bevealden, from Old English befealdan (“to fold, roll up, envelop, clasp, surround, involve, cover, attach”), equivalent to be- (“around, about”) + fold. Cognate with Old High German bifaltan (“to envelop”).

verb

To fold up; fold around; wrap up; envelop.

Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Words closest in meaning

By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.

enfold 81% match — To envelop and wrap up something. vs befold →
enfoldingly 77% match — So as to enfold. vs befold →
enfoldedly 74% match — In an enfolded manner. vs befold →
enfoldment 72% match — The act of enfolding. vs befold →
envelop 72% match — To surround, enclose or enfold. vs befold →
enfolding 71% match — A folding around something. vs befold →
umbelap 69% match — To enshroud, to envelop; to surround. vs befold →
infold 67% match — To fold inwards. vs befold →