crease

[ krees ]

noun

1. a ridge or groove produced in anything by folding, heat, pressure, etc.; fold; furrow.
2. a wrinkle, especially one on the face.
3. the straight, vertical edge or line produced in the front and back of trousers, especially men's trousers, by pressing, as with a steam presser or iron.
4. Ice Hockey. the marked rectangular area in front of each goal cage, into which an offensive player can skate only if that player has the puck, if the puck is already within the area, or if the goalie is absent.
5. Cricket.
   1. bowling crease.
   2. popping crease.

verb (used with object)

, creased, creas·ing.

1. to make a crease or creases in or on; wrinkle.

   Synonyms: fold, furrow, pucker, crimp

2. to wound or stun by a furrowing or superficial shot:

   The bullet merely creased his shoulder.

verb (used without object)

, creased, creas·ing.

1. to become creased.

crease

¹

/ kriːs /

noun

1. a line or mark produced by folding, pressing, or wrinkling
2. a wrinkle or furrow, esp on the face
3. cricket any three lines near each wicket marking positions for the bowler or batsman See also bowling crease popping crease return crease
4. ice hockey the small rectangular area in front of each goal cage
5. Also calledgoal crease lacrosse the circular area surrounding the goal

verb

1. to make or become wrinkled or furrowed
2. tr to graze with a bullet, causing superficial injury
3. slang.
   often foll by up to be or cause to be greatly amused

crease

²

/ kriːs /

noun

1. a rare spelling of kris

Derived Forms

• ˈcreaseless, adjective
• ˈcreaser, noun
• ˈcreasy, adjective

Other Words From

• creaseless adjective
• creaser noun
• un·creased adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crease¹

1400–50; late Middle English creeste, crest, apparently special use of crest

Word History and Origins

Origin of crease¹

C15: from earlier crēst; probably related to Old French cresté wrinkled

Example Sentences

The agency also noted the assessment "contains flaws in that cricket shots can be played 360 degrees off the crease with only shots from the furthest crease being measured on this report".

From BBC

The mother of the guy who played Troilus made all the costumes, Mandvi recalled, and so he came out onstage with a cardboard sword with a crease in it.

From Los Angeles Times

They’re the stains you can’t rub out, the holes around the collar, the crease marks forever etched into fabric.

From Los Angeles Times

Captain Shai Hope came to the crease and hit the winning runs in the 26th over to complete a comprehensive victory.

From BBC

Firefighter/paramedic Luke Winfield put on a pair of white latex gloves and prepared a nalaxone IV, tied a blue tourniquet around the man’s upper arm and plunged the life-saving drug into the crease of his elbow.

From Los Angeles Times