v.
Pronunciation: di- ' plo ̇ i
Function: verb
Etymology: French déployer, literally, to unfold, from Old French desploier, from des- dis- + ploier, plier to fold ― more at PLY
Date: 1616
transitive verb
1 a : to extend (a military unit) especially in width b : to place in battle formation or appropriate positions
2 : to spread out, utilize, or arrange for a deliberate purpose < deploy a sales force> < deploy a parachute>
intransitive verb : to move, spread out, or function while being deployed <the troops deploy ed along the front> <the parachute failed to deploy >
– de · ploy · able \ - ə -b ə l \ adjective
– de · ploy · ment \ -m ə nt \ noun