~ 1 [ sə'plʌɪ ]
■ verb ( supplies , ~ing , supplied )
1》 make (something needed) available to someone.
↘provide with something needed.
↘be adequate to satisfy (a requirement or demand).
2》 archaic take over (a vacant place or role).
■ noun ( plural supplies )
1》 a stock or amount of something supplied or available.
↘the action of ~ing.
2》 [usu. as modifier ] a person, especially a schoolteacher, acting as a temporary substitute for another.
3》 ( supplies ) Brit. a grant of money by Parliament for the costs of government.
Phrases
on ~ (of a schoolteacher) acting as a temporary substitute.
~ and demand the amount of a good or service available and the desire of buyers for it, considered as factors regulating its price.
Derivatives
supplier noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. soupleer , from L. supplere 'fill up'.
————————
~ 2 [ 'sʌpli ]
■ adverb variant spelling of supplely (see supple ).