I. ˈplī verb
( plied ; plied ; plying ; plies )
Etymology: Middle English plien to bend, fold, mold, from Middle French plier to bend, fold, from Latin plicare to fold; akin to Old English flohten fōte web-footed, Old High German flehtan to braid, plait, Old Norse flētta to plait, Gothic flahta braid, Latin plectere to braid, plait, Greek plekein to plait, Sanskrit praśna plaited basket
transitive verb
1.
a. : bend , fold , mold
b. : to twist together (as two or more single yarns)
2. obsolete : to bend in will or sense : adapt
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : to be pliable : bend ; also : twist
2. obsolete : to be pliant : yield , comply
II. noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English (Scots) ply condition, from Middle French pli pleat, fold, from plier, v.
1. chiefly dialect : physical condition
in good ply
out of ply
2. : fold , layer :
a. : one of the strands in a yarn composed of two or more strands
b. : one of several layers of cloth usually sewn or laminated together
a shirt collar that has three plies of cloth
the body of a tire has several plies of rubberized fabric
c. : one of the interwoven webs in some fabrics and carpets
d. : one of the veneer sheets forming plywood
e. : a layer of a paper or paperboard composed of more than one web ; also : a liner or filler of a pasteboard or combination board
f. : an arbitrary measure of thickness (as of paper)
3.
a. archaic : bend , curvature
the ply of an animal's limb
the ply of the arm is the elbow
b. : a trend of mind or spirit : inclination , bias
III. verb
( plied ; plied ; plying ; plies )
Etymology: Middle English plien, short for applien to apply
transitive verb
1.
a. : to use or wield diligently or vigorously and steadily : exert , exercise
ply an ax
ply your wit
go ply thy needle; meddle not — Shakespeare
b. : to practice or perform diligently : apply oneself to
plying his trade
2.
a. : to keep after : assail vigorously or continually
b. : to urge something importunately on : keep supplying
ply her with quetions
plied the man with liquor
3.
a. obsolete : to use (a tide or other natural aid) in working a ship
b. : to make a practice or business of rowing or sailing over or on
the ferryboat plies the river
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to employ oneself or work diligently or steadily : apply oneself : be in steady action
those who ply in freedom's cause
oars plying strongly against the current
b. Britain : to wait regularly for business : have one's regular stand — used especially of a porter, boatman, or other independent laborer
a taxi driver plying for hire
2.
a. of a boat or its crew : to work to windward : beat
b. : to direct one's course : steer
c. : to go or travel more or less regularly between usually specified points
a steamer plying between opposite shores of the lake
Synonyms: see handle