I. sə-ˈplī verb
( sup·plied ; sup·ply·ing )
Etymology: Middle English supplien to complete, compensate for, from Middle French soupplier, from Latin supplēre to fill up, complete, raise (a military unit, crew) to its full complement, substitute, from sub- up + plēre to fill — more at sub- , full
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : to add as a supplement
2.
[Middle French souploier, alteration of soupplier ]
a. : to provide for : satisfy
laws by which the material wants of men are supplied — Bulletin of Bates College
b. : to make available for use : provide
supplied the necessary funds
c. : to satisfy the needs or wishes of
d. : to furnish (organs, tissues, or cells) with a vital element (as blood or nerve fibers)
3. : to substitute for another in ; specifically : to serve as a supply in (a church or pulpit)
intransitive verb
: to serve as a supply or substitute
• sup·pli·er -ˈplī(-ə)r noun
II. noun
( plural supplies )
Date: 15th century
1. obsolete : assistance , succor
2.
a. obsolete : reinforcements — often used in plural
b. : a member of the clergy filling a vacant pulpit temporarily
c. : the quantity or amount (as of a commodity) needed or available
beer was in short supply in that hot weather — Nevil Shute
d. : provisions, stores — usually used in plural
3. : the act or process of filling a want or need
engaged in the supply of raw materials to industry
4. : the quantities of goods or services offered for sale at a particular time or at one price
5. : something that maintains or constitutes a supply