Main Difference
The main difference between Plait and Pleat is that the Plait is a is the usual word in BE, although the younger generation may know it as “braid” and Pleat is a deliberate fold in the design of a textile object or garment.
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Pleat
A pleat (older plait) is a type of fold formed by doubling fabric back upon itself and securing it in place. It is commonly used in clothing and upholstery to gather a wide piece of fabric to a narrower circumference.Pleats are categorized as pressed, that is, ironed or otherwise heat-set into a sharp crease, or unpressed, falling in soft rounded folds.
Pleats sewn into place are called tucks.
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Plait (noun)
A flat fold; a doubling, as of cloth; a pleat.
“a box plait”
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Plait (noun)
A braid, as of hair or straw; a plat.
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Plait (verb)
To fold; to double in narrow folds; to pleat
“to plait a ruffle”
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Plait (verb)
To interweave the strands or locks of; to braid
“to plait hair”
“plaiting rope”
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Pleat (noun)
A fold in the fabric of a garment, usually a skirt, as a part of the design of the garment, with the purpose of adding controlled fullness and freedom of movement, or taking up excess fabric. There are many types of pleats, differing in their construction and appearance.
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Pleat (noun)
A fold in an organ, usually a longitudinal fold in a long leaf such as that of palmetto, lending it stiffness.
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Pleat (noun)
A plait.
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Pleat (verb)
To pleats in a piece of fabric or a garment.
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Pleat (verb)
To plait.
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Plait (noun)
a single length of hair, straw, rope, or other material made up of three or more interlaced strands
“she wore her dark hair in plaits”
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Plait (noun)
archaic term for pleat
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Plait (verb)
form (hair, straw, rope, or other material) into a plait or plaits
“her hair had been plaited and coiled at the back of her head”
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Plait (verb)
make (something) by forming material into a plait or plaits
“a basket plaited from strips of flax”