plait
plait Lexical Profile
plait Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A single length of hair or other flexible material made up of three or more interlaced strands; a braid.
"She wore her long dark hair in a neat plait down her back."
American A flattened fold in cloth doubled back upon itself and secured in place; a pleat.
"The antique wool skirt featured deep plaits stitched smoothly around the waistband."
• verb
To form hair, straw, rope, or other flexible material into a braid by interlacing three or more strands.
"The artisan skillfully plaited the dried reeds into a sturdy market basket."
American To fold fabric into neat, regular pleats.
"The dressmaker carefully plaited the silk bodice before sewing the seams."
Word Nuance & Usage
While spelled like 'bait', 'plait' is pronounced to rhyme with 'cat' (/plæt/) in British English and often like 'plate' (/pleɪt/) in American English; in everyday hair care, British speakers prefer 'plait' whereas American speakers usually use 'braid'.
• Rhymes for plait
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'pleit', borrowed from Old French 'pleit' (a fold or manner of folding), which derives from Latin 'plicitum', the neuter past participle of 'plicare' (to fold).