I. ˈplī verb
( plied ; ply·ing )
Etymology: Middle English plien, short for applien to apply
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to use or wield diligently
busily ply ing his pen
b. : to practice or perform diligently
ply 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 ply ing the skies
intransitive verb
1. : to apply oneself steadily
2. : to go or travel regularly
II. noun
( plural plies )
Etymology: ply (III)
Date: 1532
1.
a. : one of several layers (as of cloth) usually 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 cardboard
2. : inclination , bias
III. transitive verb
( plied ; ply·ing )
Etymology: Middle English plien to fold, from Anglo-French plier, pleier, from Latin plicare; akin to Old High German flehtan to braid, Latin plectere, Greek plekein
Date: circa 1909
: to twist together
ply two single yarns