Plait
/pleɪt/
Definitions
2 meaningsA length of hair or other material formed by braiding multiple strands together.
/pleɪt/
A length of hair or other material made by interlacing three or more strands.
Her long, brown hair was styled in a single, neat plait.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're braiding your friend's hair. A plait is what you make when you twist several strands together to make a rope-like thing. It can be hair, rope, or even straw!
👶 For kids: A plait is like a braid! It's when you take three or more things, like pieces of string or hair, and twist them together to make one long thing.
More Examples
The horse's mane was decorated with colorful ribbons woven into its plait.
She carefully separated the yarn into three strands to begin the plait.
How It's Used
"She wore her hair in a long plait."
"The basket was woven from plaits of straw."
To braid or weave strands of hair or other flexible material together to create a plait.
/pleɪt/
To form hair or other material into a plait or plaits.
She carefully plaited her daughter's hair before school.
💡 Simply: Plaiting means to braid something! Like, when you carefully take three strands of hair and weave them over and under each other to make a braid, you're plaiting your hair. It's about twisting things together.
👶 For kids: To plait means to make a braid! You can plait hair or even string to make them look pretty.
More Examples
The villagers plaited straw to make mats.
He plaited his beard before the ceremony.
How It's Used
"She plaited her hair before going to bed."
"The artisan plaited the reeds to create a basket."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
From Old French *pleit* (braid), from Latin *plectere* (to braid, plait).
The word 'plait' has been used since the 14th century, initially referring to woven or braided items.
Memory tip
Think of a braided hairstyle - that's a plait!
Word Origin
"braid"