Plait - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT plait /pleɪt/ /pleɪt/ IPA guide

Other forms: plaited; plaits; plaiting

You might get an odd look if you ask your hairdresser to put your hair in a plait, but she’ll eventually figure out what you want: a braid.

Plait, which sounds the same as plate, feels a bit like it’s from a bygone era, though the word is still in use today. A woman wearing a hairstyle with plaits might be on her way to meet Lord Something-or-Other, in the hopes of receiving a marriage proposal. Meanwhile, someone wearing a braided hairdo might be preparing for a night on the town or just a trip to the grocery store.

Definitions of plait

noun a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair synonyms: braid, tress, twist see moresee less types: queue a braid of hair at the back of the head pigtail a plait of braided hair type of: coif, coiffure, hair style, hairdo, hairstyle the arrangement of the hair (especially a woman's hair)
noun any of various types of fold formed by doubling fabric back upon itself and then pressing or stitching into shape synonyms: pleat see moresee less types: show 7 types... hide 7 types... box pleat a flat double pleat made by folding under the fabric on either side of it inverted pleat a box pleat reversed so that the fullness is turned inward kick pleat pleat in back of a straight skirt to allow ease in walking knife pleat a single pleat turned in one direction tuck a narrow flattened pleat or fold that is stitched in place dart a tapered tuck made in dressmaking sunburst pleat, sunray pleat knife pleat cut on the bias to produce a flared effect type of: bend, crease, crimp, flexure, fold, plication an angular or rounded shape made by folding
verb make by braiding or interlacing synonyms: braid, lace see moresee less type of: tissue, weave create a piece of cloth by interlacing strands of fabric, such as wool or cotton
verb weave into plaits “plait hair” see moresee less type of: interweave, weave interlace by or as if by weaving

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