1. ply(n = noun.artifact) Array - one of the strands twisted together to make yarn or rope or thread; often used in combination; "three-ply cord"; "four-ply yarn"
is a kind of strand
2. ply(n = noun.artifact) Array - (usually in combinations) one of several layers of cloth or paper or wood as in plywood; Array
is a kind of bed, layer
1. ply(v = verb.consumption) cater, provide, supply - give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance; "The hostess provided lunch for all the guests"
is one way to give
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s somebody with something; Somebody ----s something PP
2. ply(v = verb.social) Array - apply oneself diligently; "Ply one's trade"
is one way to do, perform
Derived forms noun plier1, noun plyer1
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
3. ply(v = verb.motion) run - travel a route regularly; "Ships ply the waters near the coast"
is one way to jaunt, travel, trip
Derived form noun plier1
Sample sentences:
Something is ----ing PP; Somebody ----s PP
4. ply(v = verb.contact) Array - join together as by twisting, weaving, or molding; "ply fabric"
is one way to bring together, join
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
5. ply(v = verb.contact) Array - wield vigorously; "ply an axe"
is one way to handle, manage, wield
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
6. ply(v = verb.consumption) Array - use diligently; "ply your wits!"
is one way to apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
1. To bend. [1913 Webster]
"As men may warm wax with handes plie." [1913 Webster]
2. To lay on closely, or in folds; to work upon steadily, or with repeated acts; to press upon; to urge importunately; as, to ply one with questions, with solicitations, or with drink. [1913 Webster]
"And plies him with redoubled strokes" [1913 Webster]
"He plies the duke at morning and at night." [1913 Webster]
3. To employ diligently; to use steadily. [1913 Webster]
"Go ply thy needle; meddle not." [1913 Webster]
4. To practice or perform with diligence; to work at. [1913 Webster]
"Their bloody task, unwearied, still they ply." [1913 Webster]
1. To bend; to yield. [1913 Webster]
"It would rather burst atwo than plye." [1913 Webster]
"The willow plied, and gave way to the gust." [1913 Webster]
2. To act, go, or work diligently and steadily; especially, to do something by repeated actions; to go back and forth; as, a steamer plies between certain ports. [1913 Webster]
"Ere half these authors be read (which will soon be with plying hard and daily)." [1913 Webster]
"He was forced to ply in the streets as a porter." [1913 Webster]
"The heavy hammers and mallets plied." [1913 Webster]
3. To work to windward; to beat. [1913 Webster]
1. A fold; a plait; a turn or twist, as of a cord. Arbuthnot. [1913 Webster]
2. Bent; turn; direction; bias. [1913 Webster]
" Ply is used in composition to designate folds, or the number of webs interwoven; as, a three-ply carpet." [1913 Webster]
"The late learners can not so well take the ply." [1913 Webster]
"Boswell, and others of Goldsmith's contemporaries, . . . did not understand the secret plies of his character." [1913 Webster]
"The czar's mind had taken a strange ply, which it retained to the last." [1913 Webster]
ply, n. (pl. -ies)
1 a thickness or layer of certain materials, esp. wood or cloth (three-ply).
2 a strand of yarn or rope etc.
ply, v. (-ies, -ied)
1 tr. use or wield vigorously (a tool, weapon, etc.).
2 tr. work steadily at (one's business or trade).
3 tr. (foll. by with) a supply (a person) continuously (with food, drink, etc.). b approach repeatedly (with questions, demands, etc.).
4 a intr. (often foll. by between) (of a vehicle etc.) travel regularly (to and fro between two points). b tr. work (a route) in this way.
5 intr. (of a taxi-driver, boatman, etc.) attend regularly for custom (ply for trade).
6 intr. sail to windward.
Etymology:
ME plye, f. APPLY
VB use, make use of, employ, put to use, put in action, put in operation, put in practice, set in motion, set to work, ply, work, wield, handle, manipulate, play, play off, exert, exercise, practice, avail oneself of, profit by, resort to, have recourse to, recur to, take betake oneself to, take up with, take advantage of, lay one's hands on, try, render useful, mold, turn to account, turn to use, convert to use, utilize, work up, call into play, bring into play, put into requisition, call forth, draw forth, press into service, enlist into the service, bring to bear upon, devote, dedicate, consecrate, apply, adhibit, dispose of, make a handle of, make a cat's-paw of, fall back upon, make a shift with, make the most of, make the best of, use up, swallow up, consume, absorb, expend, tax, task, wear, put to task.
VB exert oneself, exert one's energies, tax one's energies, use exertion, labor, work, toil, moil, sweat, fag, drudge, slave, drag a lengthened chain, wade through, strive, stretch a long arm, pull, tug, ply, ply the oar, tug at the oar, do the work, take the laboring oar bestir oneself (be active), take trouble, trouble oneself, work hard, rough it, put forth one's strength, put forth a strong arm, fall to work, bend the bow, buckle to, set one's shoulder to the wheel, work like a horse, work like a cart horse, work like a galley slave, work like a coal heaver, labor day and night, work day and night, redouble one's efforts, do double duty, work double hours, work double tides, sit up, burn the candle at both ends, stick to, work one's way, fight one's way, lay about one, hammer at, take pains, do one's best, do one's level best, do one's utmost, give one hundred percent, do the best one can, do all one can, do all in one's power, do as much as in one lies, do what lies in one's power, use one's best endeavor, use one's utmost endeavor, try one's best, try one's utmost, play one's best card, put one's best leg foremost, put one's right leg foremost, have one's whole soul in his work, put all one's strength into, strain every nerve, spare no efforts, spare no pains, go all lengths, go through fire and water, move heaven and earth, leave no stone unturned.
VB request, ask, beg, crave, sue, pray, petition, solicit, invite, pop the question, make bold to ask, beg leave, beg a boon, apply to, call to, put to, call upon, call for, make a request, address a request, prefer a request, put up a request, make a prayer, address a prayer, prefer a prayer, put up a prayer, make a petition, address a petition, prefer a petition, put up a petition, make application, make a requisition, ask trouble, ask one for, claim, offer up prayers, whistle for, beg hard, entreat, beseech, plead, supplicate, implore, conjure, adjure, obtest, cry to, kneel to, appeal to, invoke, evoke, impetrate, imprecate, ply, press, urge, beset, importune, dun, tax, clamor for, cry aloud, cry for help, fall on one's knees, throw oneself at the feet of, come down on one's marrowbones, beg from door to door, send the hat round, go a begging, mendicate, mump, cadge, beg one's bread, dance attendance on, besiege, knock at the door, bespeak, canvass, tout, make interest, court, seek, bid for, publish the banns.
N fold, plicature, plait, pleat, ply, crease, tuck, gather, flexion, flexure, joint, elbow, double, doubling, duplicature, gather, wrinkle, rimple, crinkle, crankle, crumple, rumple, rivel, ruck, ruffle, dog's ear, corrugation, frounce, flounce, lapel, pucker, crow's feet, plication, folded, fluted, pleated.