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Glite Dictionary
linenfold

linenfold

9.9
A carved wooden pattern that looks like folded cloth
  • noun
  • /ˈlɪnənˌfoʊld/
  • Archaic
translation icon : pliegue de lino
  • The antique chest was beautifully crafted with a linenfold design that added elegance to the room.

Examples

  • Visitors admired the linenfold style of the cabinetry, impressed by how it resembled the folds of fine fabric.

  • In the historic library, the walls were adorned with exquisite linenfold wood paneling, showcasing skilled craftsmanship.

  • Where possible, the Winkler Bank liked to use old-fashioned letter-writing on its expensive cream linenfold stationery or personal meetings within the bank itself.

    Fiction book (1994)

Surface Forms

linenfold singular
linenfolds plural

Morphology

linenfold = linen + fold (semi-transparent) = linen + fold

The components 'linen' and 'fold' are clear, but the specific specialised meaning referring to a carved decorative motif is not fully predictable for an average learner.

Etymology

Linenfold comes from the simple parts linen ('cloth') and fold ('a bend or crease'), so it literally means 'cloth folds'. It was used for a carved wood or panel design that looks like folded fabric, which is why such decoration is called linenfold.