ply
ply¹
Definition
ply (plī)
transitive verb plied, ply′·ing
Now Rare to bend, twist, fold, or mold
Etymology: ME plien < OFr plier < L plicare, to fold < IE base *plek-, to entwine > flax
intransitive verb
Obsolete to bend or submit
noun pl. plies
- a single thickness, fold, or layer, as of doubled cloth, plywood, etc.
- one of the twisted strands in rope, yarn, etc.
- the state of being bent or twisted
- bias or inclination
Etymology: MFr pli < the v.
adjective
having (a specified number of) layers, thicknesses, or strands: usually in hyphenated compounds three-ply
ply²
Definition
ply (plī)
transitive verb plied, ply′·ing
- to do work with; wield or use (a tool, faculty, etc.), esp. with energy
- to work at (a trade)
- to address (someone) urgently and constantly (with questions, etc.)
- to keep supplying (with gifts, food, drink, etc.)
- to sail regularly back and forth across boats ply the channel
Etymology: ME plien, aphetic for applien, apply
intransitive verb
- to keep busy or work (at something or with a tool, etc.)
- to travel regularly (between places): said of ships, buses, etc.
- Old Poet. to steer a course
ply
Synonyms
ply
n.
ply
Synonyms
ply
v.
ply
Usage Examples
Object
- sup-: Also, one can usually use the file program sup- plied with most Unix systems to see what format a DBM file is in.
- route: He told us about how the No 3 bus, a hundred years on, still plies the same route.
- canal: In Amsterdam, water busses ply the busy canals.
- river: Boats were also unable to ply the river, with fast-flowing water almost touching some city center bridge spans.
- trade: Anyone wishing to ply a particular trade had to belong to a guild.
Adjective modifier
- birch: The CNC parts are in the harder birch ply for parts in more highly stressed areas.
- marine: Painted on sealed 12mm marine ply hung with half inch knotted natural colored rope.
- outer: On the VX range, you now get ITS mounts and the maple outer ply comes as standard.
- single: Minimum raw material usage is inherent in single ply.
Modifies a noun
- roofing: You've probably seen single ply roofing attached to buildings as sheets.
- yarn: Once two reels of the same single ply yarn are produced these can then be spun into a double ply yarn.
- lining: What does a standard ply lining kit comprise of?
- membrane: Single ply membranes are strong, flexible sheets composed predominately of synthetic polymer.
- tire: Note: Some tires, eg radial ply tires, with flexible side walls may touch under load.
- shell: Kiemo wood ply shells The sound of any drum starts with the shell.
Noun used with modifier
- com: Must com ply took effect in cshcn states may.
- inch: The engine is mounted sideways on a radial mount bolted to the front 1/4 inch ply bulkhead.
- grade: Made from premium grade redwood Pine, with exterior grade ply roof, sourced from managed plantations.
Preposition: of
- yarn: This would have been to distinguish between departments or the ply of the yarns that were wrapped round the bobbins.
Preposition: for
- hire: Private Hire Vehicles - these vehicles cannot ply for hire in the street or at taxi ranks.
