tuck

verb

• 1 [with object and usually with adverbial of place] push, fold, or turn (the edges or ends of something, especially a garment or bedclothes) so as to hide or secure them:he tucked his shirt into his trousers
• (tuck someone in/up) make someone, especially a child, comfortable in bed by pulling the edges of the bedclothes firmly under the mattress:Emily was only too willing to be tucked up in bed by nine
• draw (something, especially part of one’s body) together into a small space:she tucked her legs under her
• put or keep (something) in a specified place so as to be hidden, secure, comfortable, or tidy:the Colonel walked towards her, his gun tucked under his arm savers are turning to unit trusts as the best place to tuck away their money

• 2 [with object] make a flattened, stitched fold in (a garment or material), typically so as to shorten or tighten it, or for decoration: the suit was pinned and tucked all over

noun

• 1a flattened, stitched fold in a garment or material, typically one of several parallel folds put in to improve the fit or for decoration:a dress with tucks along the bodice
• [usually with modifier] informal a surgical operation to reduce surplus flesh or fat:a tummy tuck

• 2 [mass noun] British informal food eaten by children at school as a snack: [as modifier]:a tuck shop

• 3 (also tuck position) (in diving, gymnastics, downhill skiing, etc.) a position with the knees bent and held close to the chest, often with the hands clasped round the shins: Lenzi nailed a reverse 3-1/2 somersault tuck on his final dive