FOUR-FOLD

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does four-fold mean? 

• FOUR-FOLD (adjective)
  The adjective FOUR-FOLD has 2 senses:

1. having four units or components

2. four times as great or many

  Familiarity information: FOUR-FOLD used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FOUR-FOLD (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having four units or components

Synonyms:

four-fold; fourfold; quadruple; quadruplex; quadruplicate

Context example:

quadruplex wire

Similar:

multiple (having or involving or consisting of more than one part or entity or individual)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Four times as great or many

Synonyms:

four-fold; fourfold; quadruple

Context example:

a fourfold increase in the dosage

Similar:

multiple (having or involving or consisting of more than one part or entity or individual)

 Context examples 

Researchers say the ice rate loss across Greenland has increased four-fold since 2003, which they say will lead to a greater sea level rise.

(Study: Greenland's Ice Melting Faster than Previously Thought, VOA)

They then analysed the DNA of these individuals to see which regions of their genomes were associated with protein levels, yielding a four-fold increase on previous knowledge.

(Scientists create ‘genetic atlas’ of proteins in human blood, University of Cambridge)

The global ocean absorbed 34 billion metric tons of carbon from the burning of fossil fuels from 1994 to 2007 — a four-fold increase to 2.6 billion metric tons per year when compared to the period starting from the Industrial Revolution in 1800 to 1994.

(Global ocean is absorbing more carbon from fossil fuel emissions, NOAA)

In addition to the almost 12-fold increased SIDS risk from combined smoking and drinking beyond the first trimester of pregnancy, they determined that the risk of SIDS was increased five-fold in infants whose mothers reported they continued smoking beyond the first trimester, and four-fold in infants whose mothers reported they continued drinking beyond the first trimester.

(Combined prenatal smoking and drinking greatly increases SIDS risk, National Institutes of Health)