ply 1 (pl )tr.v. plied (pl d), ply·ing, plies (plz) 1. To join together, as by molding or twisting. 2. To double over (cloth, for example). n. pl. plies (pl z) 1. A layer, as of doubled-over cloth or of paperboard. 2. One of the sheets of wood glued together to form plywood. 3. A layer of rubber-coated fabric, often of nylon or polyester cords, forming the body of an automobile tire. 4. One of the strands twisted together to make yarn, rope, or thread. Often used in combination: three-ply cord. 5. A bias; an inclination. [Middle English plien, from Old French plier, alteration of pleier, from Latin plic  re, to fold; see plek- in Indo-European roots.] |
| ply 2 (pl) v. plied (pl d), ply·ing, plies (plz) v.tr. 1. To use diligently; wield: ply a knitting needle. 2. To engage in diligently; practice: plied the carpenter's trade. See Synonyms at handle. 3. To traverse or sail over regularly: Trading ships plied the routes between coastal ports. 4. To continue offering something to; ensure that (another) is abundantly served: plied their guests with excellent food. 5. To assail vigorously. v.intr. 1. To traverse a route or course regularly: The boat plies between the islands on a weekly schedule. 2. To perform or work diligently or regularly: plied at the weaver's trade for 20 years. 3. Nautical To work against the wind by a zigzag course; tack. [Middle English plien, from applien, to apply; see apply.] |
ply 1
Verb
[plies, plying, plied]
1. to work at (a job or trade)
2. to use (a tool)
3. (usually foll. by with)to provide (with) or subject (to) persistently: he plied us with drink, he plied me with questions
4. to work steadily
5. (of a ship) to travel regularly along (a route): to ply the trade routes [Middle English plye, short for aplye to apply]
ply 2
Noun
pl plies
1. a layer or thickness, such as of fabric or wood
2. one of the strands twisted together to make rope or yarn [Old French pli fold]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | ply - one of the strands twisted together to make yarn or rope or thread; often used in combination; "three-ply cord"; "four-ply yarn" strand - line consisting of a complex of fibers or filaments that are twisted together to form a thread or a rope or a cable |
| 2. | ply - (usually in combinations) one of several layers of cloth or paper or wood as in plywood layer, bed - single thickness of usually some homogeneous substance; "slices of hard-boiled egg on a bed of spinach" combining form - a bound form used only in compounds; "`hemato-' is a combining form in words like `hematology'" | |
| Verb | 1. | ply - give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance; "The hostess provided lunch for all the guests" staff - provide with staff; "This position is not always staffed" drench - force to drink regale, treat - provide with choice or abundant food or drink; "Don't worry about the expensive wine--I'm treating"; "She treated her houseguests with good food every night" board - provide food and lodging (for); "The old lady is boarding three men" feed, give - give food to; "Feed the starving children in India"; "don't give the child this tough meat" feed - serve as food for; be the food for; "This dish feeds six" dish, dish up, serve up, dish out, serve - provide (usually but not necessarily food); "We serve meals for the homeless"; "She dished out the soup at 8 P.M."; "The entertainers served up a lively show" cater - supply food ready to eat; for parties and banquets help, serve - help to some food; help with food or drink; "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself" power - supply the force or power for the functioning of; "The gasoline powers the engines" feed - provide as food; "Feed the guests the nuts" underlay - provide with a base, support, lining, or backing; "underlay the boards with joists" horse - provide with a horse or horses shower - provide abundantly with; "He showered her with presents" accommodate - provide with something desired or needed; "Can you accommodate me with a rental car?" nourish, nurture, sustain - provide with nourishment; "We sustained ourselves on bread and water"; "This kind of food is not nourishing for young children" fix up - find (something or someone) for; "I'll fix you up with a nice girl" gutter - provide with gutters; "gutter the buildings" give - transfer possession of something concrete or abstract to somebody; "I gave her my money"; "can you give me lessons?"; "She gave the children lots of love and tender loving care" |
| 2. | ply - apply oneself diligently; "Ply one's trade" | |
| 3. | ply - travel a route regularly; "Ships ply the waters near the coast" black market, run - deal in illegally, such as arms or liquor | |
| 4. | ply - join together as by twisting, weaving, or molding; "ply fabric" bring together, join - cause to become joined or linked; "join these two parts so that they fit together" | |
| 5. | ply - wield vigorously; "ply an axe" | |
| 6. | ply - use diligently; "ply your wits!" apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize - put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose; "use your head!"; "we only use Spanish at home"; "I can't use this tool"; "Apply a magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied to many projects"; "How do you utilize this tool?"; "I apply this rule to get good results"; "use the plastic bags to store the food"; "He doesn't know how to use a computer" |
ply 1
ply 2
Translations
ply [plaɪ] vt [+ a trade] → ejercer
vi [ship] → ir y venir;
(for hire) → ofrecerse (para alquilar);
three ply [wool] → de tres cabos;
ply [plaɪ] n [of wool] → fil m [of wood]; feuille f, épaisseur f
to ply sb with drink → donner continuellement à boire à qn
ply [plaɪ] vt [+ a trade] → ausüben, nachgehen +dat [+ tool]; gebrauchen, anwenden
vi [ship] → verkehren
n [of wool, rope] → Stärke f;
(also: plywood) → Sperrholz nt;
ply [plaɪ] n [of wool] → capo; [of wood] → strato
vt [+ tool] → maneggiare [+ a trade]; esercitare
to ply sb with drink → dare da bere continuamente a qn
v ply [plai]
1 an old word for to work at He plies his trade as weaver. verrig werk يَعْمَل ، يَشْتَغِل كَ работя provozovat udøve ausüben ασκώ επάγγελμα (αρχ.) ejercer ametit pidama کار کردن harjoittaa ammattia exercer (un métier) לְהַצִיע שֵׁירוּתִים आना-जाना raditi s dolgozik mengerjakan iðka, vinna við esercitare ～にせいを出す ...에 힘쓰다; 열심히 일하다 užsiimti strādāt, pūlēties bekerja beoefenen utøve, drive uprawiać, pracować exercer a-şi face meseria (de) заниматься vykonávať opravljati raditi svoj posao arbeta träget ทำงาน çalışmak, (işini) yapmak 從事 займатися چلانا làm việc 从事
2 to use (a tool etc) vigorously. oorlaai يَسْتَعْمِل بِشِدَّه употребявам dobře ovládat bruge energisk hantieren mit χειρίζομαι manejar osavalt käsitsema استفاده کردن käytellä manier vigoureusement לַעֲבוֹד קָשֶׁה עִם- काम में लाना rukovati használ menggunakan nota, beita maneggiare せっせと使う (도구)를 부지런히 쓰다 energingai darbuotis rīkoties (ar kaut ko) menggunakan sst hanteren bruke flittig machać manejar a mânui усердно работать; налегать dobre ovládať (pridno) uporabljati vešto baratati använda, bruka ใช้อย่างคล่องแคล่ว kullanmak, sürekli çalışmak 使勁揮舞 старанно працювати استعمال کرنا điều khiển 使劲挥舞
3 to keep supplying They plied their guests with drink. voorsien يُواصِل تَزْويد доставям stále nalévat forsyne nötigen zu στουμπώνω, προσφέρω φορτικά no parar de ofrecer pakkumist jätkama رساندن tarjota sans arrêt fournir לְסַפֵּק लगे रहना या लग जाना obilno nuditi pićem ellát memberi veita óspart どんどん出す 자꾸 주다 primygtinai siūlyti, vaišinti apgādāt menghidangkan sesuatu tdk henti-henti voeren forsyne rikelig raczyć encher de a copleşi cu усиленно угощать stále nalievať redno oskrbovati snabdevati bjuda, traktera จัดหาให้ ikrama boğmak 不斷供應 частувати, наполегливо пригощати فراہم کرتے رہنا tiếp liên tục 不断供应
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