Etymology
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crease (n.)

1660s, "long or thin mark made by doubling or folding," altered from creaste "a ridge," perhaps a variant of crest (n.), via meaning "a fold in a length of cloth" (mid-15c.) which produces a "crest." In sports, first in cricket (1779), where originally it was cut into the ground. As a verb, "to make creases in," from 1580s. Cut crease as a type of eyeshadow application is by 2009. Related: Creased; creasing.

Entries linking to crease

crest (n.)

early 14c., "highest part of a helmet," an extended sense, from Old French creste "tuft or tuft-like growth on the top of an animal's head, comb" (12c., Modern French crête), from Latin crista "tuft, plume," which is derived from the same source as words for "hair" (such as crinis, crispus), but it also was used for crest of a cock or the upright ornaments of a helmet. Said by Watkins to be from an extended form of PIE root *sker- (2) "to turn, bend." Replaced Old English hris.

The "tuft of an animal" sense is from late 14c. in English.Meaning "highest part of a hill or mountain range" is from late 14c.

updated on February 01, 2023

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Dictionary entries near crease

creamer

creamery

creampuff

Creamsicle

creamy

crease

create

creatine

creatinine

creation

creationism

© 2001-2023 Douglas Harper