plication

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the act or process of folding, especially into parallel folds

   Careful plication reduced the sheet into a compact layered form.

2. 2
   noun

   a fold, pleat, or folded structure

   The specimen showed a secondary plication along the surface of the cortex.

3. 3
   noun

   surgery: an operation that shortens, tightens, or reinforces tissue by folding and suturing it

   The surgeon used plication to tighten the weakened muscle wall.

From French plication and Latin plicatio, 'a folding,' from plicare, 'to fold.' Anatomy and surgery retained the literal idea for natural folds and procedures that fold or gather tissue.

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