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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

  1. a single thickness, fold, or layer, as of doubled cloth, plywood, etc.
  2. one of the twisted strands in rope, yarn, etc.
    1. the state of being bent or twisted
    2. 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

  1. to do work with; wield or use (a tool, faculty, etc.), esp. with energy
  2. to work at (a trade)
  3. to address (someone) urgently and constantly (with questions, etc.)
  4. to keep supplying (with gifts, food, drink, etc.)
  5. to sail regularly back and forth across boats ply the channel

Etymology: ME plien, aphetic for applien, apply

intransitive verb

  1. to keep busy or work (at something or with a tool, etc.)
  2. to travel regularly (between places): said of ships, buses, etc.
  3. Old Poet. to steer a course

ply Synonyms

ply

n.

  1. A sheet

    thickness, fold, overlay; see layer.

  2. An inclination

    tendency, bent, bias; see inclination 1.

ply Synonyms

ply

v.

  1. To use

    utilize, employ, handle, wield; see use 1.

  2. To practice

    work at, exercise, pursue; see practice 2.

  3. To supply

    replenish, equip, furnish; see provide 1.

  4. To beat

    hurt, whip, strike; see beat 2. See syn. study at handle.

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.

Browse dictionary entries near ply

  1. pluviose
  2. pluviometer
  3. pluvial
  4. Plutus
  5. plutonium
  6. Plutonic
  7. Plutonian
  8. pluton
  9. plutocrat
  10. plutocracy
  1. Plymouth
  2. Plymouth Rock
  3. plywood
  4. Plzeň
  5. pm
  6. PMD
  7. PMG
  8. PMI
  9. pmk
  10. PMS