[ply] vb plied ; ply.ing [ME plien, short for applien to apply] vt (14c) 1 a: to use or wield diligently "busily ~ing his pen" b: to practice or perform diligently "~ a trade"
2: to keep furnishing or supplying something to "plied us with liquor" 3 a: to make a practice of rowing or sailing over or on "the boat plies the river" b: to go or travel regularly over, on, or through "jets ~ing the skies" ~ vi 1: to apply oneself steadily
2: to go or travel regularly "a steamer ~ing between the towns"
[2]ply n, pl plies [[3]ply] (1532) 1 a: one of several layers (as of cloth) usu. sewn or laminated together b: one of the strands in a yarn c: one of the veneer sheets forming plywood d: a layer of a paper or paperboard
2: inclination, bias [3]ply vt plied ; ply.ing [ME plien to fold, fr. MF plier, fr. L plicare; akin to OHG flehtan to braid, L plectere, Gk plekein] (ca. 1909): to twist together "~ two single yarns"