ply

1 one of the strands twisted together to make yarn or rope or thread; often used in combination; "three-ply cord"; "four-ply yarn"

2 (usually in combinations) one of several layers of cloth or paper or wood as in plywood

1 provide what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance; "The hostess provided lunch for all the guests" [syn: provide, supply, cater]

2 apply oneself diligently; "Ply one's trade"

3 travel a route regularly; "Ships ply the waters near the coast" [syn: run]

4 wield vigorously; "ply an axe"

5 use diligently; "ply your wits!" [also: plied]

English

Pronunciation

• /plaɪ/
• Rhymes with: -aɪ

Etymology 1

From , from pli, from plier, from plico

Noun

1. A layer of material. (two-ply toilet paper)

Etymology 2

From plien, from plier, see Etymololgy 1.

Verb

1. to bend; to fold.
2. to flex.

Derived terms

• pliers

Etymology 3

From plien, short for applien

Verb

1. To work at diligently.

   He plied his trade as carpenter for forty-three years.

2. To use vigorously.

   He plied his ax with bloody results.

3. To travel over regularly.

   ply the seven seas

4. To persist in offering.

   She plied him with liquor.

Etymology 4

back-form reply

Noun

1. In the context of "artificial intelligence|game theory": In two-player sequential games, one turn taken by one of the players.

   He proposed to build 'Deep Purple' a super-computer capable of 24-ply look-ahead for chess.

Etymology 5

back-form plywood

1. plywood

A ply is a strand layer of material, such as yarn, rope, plastic, wood, or paper. Plywood is so called because it is a laminate of several thin layers of wooden material. Two-ply toilet paper has two separable layers, each about as thick as single-ply, affording greater comfort and convenience without a commensurate increase in the risk of clogging the toilet. Ply is also a term used for a port or bay from edwardian times. Ply may also refer to:

• Ply (game theory)
• PLY (file format), the polygon data file format
• Plying, the spinning technique to make yarn

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