plyn.
/plʌɪ/, U.S. /plaɪ/ I. Senses relating to state or condition.
1. Condition, state, fettle; esp. in in ply, in good ply: in good condition, fit; similarly out of ply: in bad condition. Chiefly Scottish.Now often used with reference to suitability of conditions for fishing on a river, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > [noun] > good or bad condition or order
point?c1225
plighta1375
waya1400
ply1443
ploy1477
abyss1548
order1569
kilter1582
trim1628
tilter1674
fettle?1748
kidney1763
fix1816
1443 in J. B. Paul Registrum Magni Sigilli Scotorum (1882) II. 86/2 Wat..maide instance to ger that actione be delayit in the ply that it than was to the next hede courte [etc.].
1463 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 26 The ferthing was brokin..and nocht in the ply he gaf it him.
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Gouernaunce of Princis (1993) xxviii. 103 Traist wele yat this gerris a man be jn gude ply.
a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Two Mice l. 313 in Poems (1981) 16 Quhan hir sister in sic ply hir fand, For verray pietie scho began to greit.
a1513 W. Dunbar Flyting in Poems (1998) I. 206 Thy pure pynit thrott, peilit and owt of ply.
1747 Session Papers in Sc. National Dict. (1968) VII. (at cited word) The Town and their Tacksmen fished all around the Island, according as the Water was in Ply.
1824 J. Mactaggart Sc. Gallovidian Encycl. (1876) 22 Few gourmands are very fat, they eat themselves out of ply.
1831 R. Shennan Tales, Songs, & Misc. Poems 44 The riders mount to try If a' things be in proper ply.
1895 Westm. Gaz. 27 Apr. 7/2 The Carron..is one of the best spring rivers in East Ross-shire when in ply.
1909 Westm. Gaz. 23 Jan. 16/2 At the time of writing the rivers were running into ply, and on the Lyon a record catch of salmon for this tributary of the Tay is reported.
1930 A. M. Stewart Stickleback Club 27 When the river was in ply that boy's place in the class was vacant.
1966 in Sc. National Dict. (1968) VII. 188/3 Ye're like the young craws—ye eat yersel oot o' ply.
II. Senses relating to layers and flexion.† 4. The condition of being bent or turned to one side (literal and figurative); a twist, turn, direction; a bias, inclination, or tendency of mind or character; esp. in to take a (also the, one's) ply. Obsolete.
2.
a. Originally: a layer or thickness of cloth or fabric, a fold; (later also) a strand or twist of rope, yarn, or thread (also figurative). Now also: any of the layers composing a multilayer material such as plywood or laminated plastic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > folding or folded condition > [noun] > a fold
foldc1325
plya1500
roll1509
ploy1558
implexure1578
folding1669
plication1701
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > a layer > [noun] > one of a series of > of cloth, paper, or something folded
plya1500
fold1527
ploy1558
thickness1815
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > thread or yarn > [noun] > strand of
plaitc1450
ply1883
a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Nero) viii. l. 4877 Wilȝame of Spens [persit]..throw thre faulde habyrione, And þe actone throw þe thride ply, And þe arow in þe body.
1532 in J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1905) VI. 77 Lyning fustiane to be ane plie betwix the utir half and the lyning of the..doublat.
1539 in R. Pitcairn Criminal Trials Scotl. (1833) I. 297* Blak grey to stuff þe plyise of hir goune with.
1616 in E. Dunbar Social Life Former Days (1866) 2nd Ser. 74 2 ell plading to be ane ply throwe the bodie & sleivs 16 s.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant ii. 92 They double it into many plies, till it be but four or five Fingers broad.
c1704 in G. Sinclair Satans Invisible World Discovered (1871) Suppl. p. lxi They covered his face with 2 or 3 ply of thick cloath.
1794 W. Anderson Piper of Peebles 18 There was a cross of oowen thread, Of twa ply twisted, blue an' red.
a1806 J. Barry in R. N. Wornum Lect. on Painting (1848) 121 The plies and wrinkles in the body of the Christ in Rembrandt's famous Descent from the Cross.
1883 I. L. Bishop in Leisure Hour 199/1 These pests bite through two ‘ply’ of silk.
1886 R. L. Stevenson Strange Case Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde 42 The carpets were of many plies and agreeable in colour.
1919 E. Pound Quia Pauper Amavi 25 Ply over ply of life still wraps the earth here.
1935 R. Dawson & B. D. Porritt Rubber 330/2 Sheets were calendered to produce the maximum grain in unvulcanised state and slabs built up..from plies with grain in same direction.
1952 J. P. Casey Pulp & Paper II. xvi. 803 In laminating paper plys, it is sometimes desirable to place alternate layers of paper with their cross and machine directions at right angles.
1977 New Scientist 6 Jan. 22/1 If the plies are set wholly radially..the tread squirms on the road far too much for acceptable roadholding.
b. Hyphenated, with preceding numeral.
(a) attributive. Designating a material or product composed of the specified number of layers or strands.
ΚΠ
1832 Encycl. Brit. VI. 174/1 Two-ply Kidderminster Carpet Loom.
1844 J. Gaugain Lady's Assistant II. Accomp. 37 Warm Crochet Scarf. Worked in eight-ply Berlin wool.
1885 Times (Weekly ed.) 5 June 7/2 Of the power looms, 1,700 are devoted to the production of extra supers and 3-ply carpets.
1905 Timber Trades Jrnl. 21 Jan. 72/1 Date cases, made entirely of three-ply wood.
1926 Rep. & Memoranda Aeronaut. Res. Comm. No. 1017. 7 The inner (gas) ply was separated for a few inches from a 2-in. strip of a three-ply rubbered balloon fabric and the single-ply gripped in the lower jaw.
1960 Farmer & Stockbreeder 15 Mar. 11/1 1cwt 6-ply paper bags.
2003 Spin-off Spring 30/2 Then the fun begins as I spin two- and three-ply yarns.
(b) absol. Material, esp. plywood, composed of the specified number of layers or strands.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > [noun] > layer
lamin1489
lamina1656
ply1901
lamination1905
laminate1968
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > a layer > [noun] > one of a series of
stage1837
lamination1858
ply1901
1901 J. Black Illustr. Carpenter & Builder Ser.: Home Handicrafts 76 If the knife is properly sharpened..it will not be difficult to cut through the four-ply which will necessarily result from this method of folding.
1919 A. W. Judge Handbk. Mod. Aeronaut. iv. 235 Ordinary 3-ply (1/ 8 to 1/ 4 in.) is used for the webs of aeroplane wing ribs.
1935 Home Notes 2nd Knitting Bk. p. iii (advt.) W. B. Kwiknit is a thick 2 ply, ideal for outdoor sportswear.
1957 Pract. Wireless 33 521/2 Five pieces of three-ply were used in the original.
1994 Lewiscraft CraftLines Nov. 8/4 The look will be entirely different depending on the ply or twist. As an example, Coats Patons new Classic Wool yarn is a soft 3-ply.
c. Plywood.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > wood-based materials > [noun] > plywood
plywood1907
laminboard1927
ply1929
plyboard1929
block-board1932
improved wood1937
multi-ply1940
glulam1953
1929 A. Clarke Pilgrimage 31 I had a painted bedpost Of blue and yellow ply.
1957 Pract. Wireless 33 542/1 The front panel should be of 1/ 8 in. ply or hardboard.
1980 Daily Tel. 10 Mar. 18 Roughly half will come in the form of timber products:..windows, flooring blocks, ply, hardboard and newsprint.
2003 Routing Oct.–Nov. 54/2 For this piece I decided to use some 25mm ply instead of MDF as this would give good fixing qualities.
3. A bend, a part of something which bends; esp. a hinged joint part way along a limb. In later use also: flexibility. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > [noun] > a curve
bightOE
crookingc1380
curvature?a1425
bought1519
compass1545
ply1575
reflexure1578
curve1596
circumflex1601
curb1601
flexion1607
flexure1608
round1608
sinus1615
return1626
inflection1658
curvity1705
sweep1715
tarve1848
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > constituent materials > [noun] > joint
jointc1290
spauld?a1513
ply1575
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > limb > arm > [noun] > elbow
elbowc1000
cubit1544
ply1575
knop1652
ancon1706
noop1818
capitellum1825
the world > animals > birds > order Falconiformes (falcons, etc.) > family Accipitridae (hawks, etc.) > [noun] > hawk > parts of > wing or part of
ply1575
sail1590
the world > life > the body > structural parts > joint > joints > [noun] > middle joint of limb
ankle joint1636
ply1717
1575 G. Turberville Bk. Faulconrie 267 Specially about hir heade, the plie of hir wings, and hir trayne.
1612 P. Lowe Disc. Whole Art Chyrurgerie (ed. 2) iv. xvi. 117 Within 8. weekes after it brake out in the plye of her arme, and vnder her oxter.
1679 I. Newton Let. 28 Feb. in Corr. (1960) II. 289 Ye rays of ye sun..ought..to receive a ply from ye denser æther.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory ii. 237/1 The Ply, or bent of the Wing, is the middle joynt in the pinion.
1717 Dict. Rusticum (ed. 2) Gascoin, the hinder Thigh of a Horse, which begins at the Stiffle, and reaches to the Ply or bending of the Ham.
1825 J. C. Loudon Encycl. Agric. 918 Scurfy, scabby eruptions, affecting the back of the knee, and ply of the hock; common..in cart-horses.
1890 J. D. Robertson Gloss. Words County of Gloucester Ply..a boy with rheumatism was said to have ‘no ply in his joints’.
1967 J. A. Baker Peregrine iii. 100 He had the tenseness and taut ply in his wings that means he has sighted prey.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > [noun] > a tendency
spirita1425
inclination1526
bias?1571
vein1585
habitude1603
ply1605
nitency1662
result1663
tend1663
penchant1673
nisus1699
hank1721
squint1736
patent1836
subjectivism1845
lurch1854
biasness1872
tilt1975
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Ccc3v In some other it is..a conceite that they can bring about occasions to their plie . View more context for this quotation
1612 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 160 It is true that late learners cannot so well take the plie.
1673 W. Wycherley Gentleman Dancing-master iv. i When once they have taken the French plie (as they call it) they are never to be made so much as Englishmen again.
1706 tr. J. B. Morvan de Bellegarde Refl. upon Ridicule 117 They have taken their Ply, and will never be set right.
1749 J. Cleland Mem. Woman of Pleasure I. 75 You may be sure, in the ply I was now taking, I had no objection to the proposal, and was rather a tiptoe for its accomplishment.
1873 H. Rogers Superhuman Origin Bible (1875) viii. 356 The natural bent and ply of man's nature.
1880 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People IV. viii. iv. 107 England took a ply which she has never wholly lost.
1881 Cent. Mag. Nov. 58/1 Her mind had taken its ply, and..she never sought again the old means of grace.
5. Computing. A single move by one side (a half-move) in a game, esp. as investigated by a game-playing computer program in planning future moves. Also: a numeral indicating the number of such moves ahead investigated.
ΘΚΠ
society > computing and information technology > software > [noun] > applications program > games > move
ply1959
1959 A. L. Samuel in IBM Jrnl. Res. & Devel. 3 214/1 [Draughts] Playing-time considerations make it necessary to limit the look-ahead distance to some fairly small value. This distance is defined as the ply (a ply of 2 consisting of one proposed move by the machine and the anticipated reply by the opponent).
1975 M. Newborn Computer Chess ii. 11 By looking ahead one move, or one ply.
1983 New Scientist 1 Dec. 673/3 Such is the nature of the game [of chess] that a 20-ply search is not yet realistic.
1996 Observer 29 Dec. 21/1 In a middlegame ‘thicket’ it will be hard to see more than a single ‘half-move’ or ‘ply’, as computer people would have it, ahead: that is one move by one side.
2003 Information Sci. 154 97 Whereas the basic αβ formulation explores every continuation the same number of plies, it has long been evident that this is not the best search strategy.
Compounds
ply rating n. a number indicative of the strength of a tyre casing (originally the number of cord plies in it).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > vehicles according to means of motion > vehicle moving on wheels > [noun] > parts of vehicle moving on wheels > wheel > rubber or pneumatic tyre > strength of
ply rating1949
1949 Nevada State Jrnl. 6 Mar. 8 (advt.) 6-ply rating.
1969 Times 12 May 16/1 Tractor tyre research is being carried out with a new mobile test rig designed to study the effects of size, ply rating, etc.
2002 Forestry & Brit. Timber (Nexis) 2 Aug. 38 The Nokian range of forestry tyres which the manufacturer has continued to develop, in some cases strengthening existing patterns and tyre sizes from 16 ply rating to 20 ply.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2006; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
plyv.1
/plʌɪ/, U.S. /plaɪ/α. Middle English plyȝe, Middle English–1500s plie, Middle English–1500s plye, Middle English– ply; Scottish pre-1700 1700s– ply.
β. late Middle English playe, late Middle English pleye; Scottish pre-1700 play.
1. † a. transitive. To bend, bow; to fold or double (cloth, etc.); to mould or shape (esp. something plastic). Also intransitive. Obsolete.† c. intransitive. To bend in reverence; to bow. Obsolete. rare.† d. intransitive. To bend one's body forcibly; to twist, writhe. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > curve or bend [verb (transitive)]
beyc888
bowa1300
incrooka1340
inbowa1382
crook1382
plya1393
inflectc1425
courbe1430
wryc1450
cralla1475
crumbc1490
bought1521
compass1542
incurvate1578
ploy1578
incurve1610
curve1615
circumflex1649
wheel1656
curb1662
crumpa1821
curvaturec1933
the world > space > relative position > folding or folded condition > fold [verb (transitive)]
foldc888
lapa1300
plya1393
turna1400
doublec1430
plaitc1430
overfold?1440
plet?a1500
flipe1530
upfold1600
enfold1605
plicate1654
tuck1835–6
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. 1099 (MED) Every feld hath corn in honde And many a man his bak hath plied.
c1395 G. Chaucer Merchant's Tale 1430 Men may warm wex with handes plye.
c1425 tr. J. Arderne Treat. Fistula (Sloane 6) (1910) 8 (MED) Þe first instrument..ow to be smal, þat it may liȝtly be plied & replied.
c1480 (a1400) St. Alexis 343 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 451 He..plyit þat bil, ore he wald leef, & It closyt in his nefe.
1593 Queen Elizabeth I tr. Boethius De Consolatione Philosophiæ in Queen Elizabeth's Englishings (1899) iii. metr. ii. 47 The twig drawen ons with mighty fors Bowing plies her top.
1599 George a Greene sig. B3 So haue I libertie to ply my bowe.
1720 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad V. xx. 207 Nor ply'd the Grass, nor bent the tender Grain.
1740 G. Smith tr. Laboratory (ed. 2) App. p. lii Plying the necks of the rockets at top to the right.
1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad xxxi. 45 The gale, it plies the saplings double.
1899 P. Kropotkin Mem. of Revolutionist II. iv. ix. 70 To ply the wickers and to shape them into an elegant basket.
b. intransitive. To bend or be bent; to yield, give (to pressure or movement); to be pliable or yielding.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > be or become curved or bent [verb (intransitive)]
beyc888
bowOE
fold13..
crumpc1325
windc1374
courbe1377
curb1377
plyc1395
bend1398
ploy?1473
bowl1513
bought1521
tirve1567
crookle1577
crook1579
compass1588
round1613
incurvate1647
circumflex1661
arcuate1678
to round off1678
sweep1725
curve1748
curvaturea1811
the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > pliableness > be pliable [verb (intransitive)]
plyc1395
give1577
switch1854
whip1872
c1395 G. Chaucer Clerk's Tale 1169 The coyne..wolde rather breste atwo than plye.
c1450 (?c1408) J. Lydgate Reson & Sensuallyte (1901) 6810 (MED) Glas ys..Rede to breke but nat to plye.
1483 Catholicon Anglicum (BL Add. 89074) (1881) 284 To Plye, flectere, vbi to bowe.
a1500 (a1400) Ipomedon (Chetham) (1889) 5722 (MED) Wythe a spere he to hym sought; The sheld was good & faylyd novght, There in the soket plyde.
1578 T. Proctor Gorgious Gallery sig. Hiij No more then Waues..May stir the stedfast rocke, that will not ply.
1600 T. Creed tr. Ovid Remedie of Loue xlv Behold the Apple bough how it doth ply And stoope with store of fruit that doth abound.
1692 R. L'Estrange Fables ccxv. 187 It blew a Violent Storm. The Willow Ply'd, and gave way to the Gust.
1754 Philos. Trans. 1753 (Royal Soc.) 48 29 From the coarctation of her breast, all its bones plying inwardly.
1863 W. Barnes Poems Rural Life 171 The rushes brown-bloom'd stems did ply.
a1903 W. F. Rose in Eng. Dial. Dict. (1903) IV. 561/2 [Somerset] See how it plies (of a saw).
1972 Sci. Amer. Dec. 55/1 When the contact pressure is released, the two rovings try to untwist, but because of their entanglement they ply over each other until the combined torsional and bending energies in the system are minimized.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > respect or show respect [verb (intransitive)] > bow, kneel, or curtsey
loutc825
abowOE
bowa1000
kneel?a1000
kneec1000
crookc1320
to bow the knee1382
inclinec1390
crouchc1394
croukc1394
coucha1500
plya1500
to make or do courtesy1508
beck1535
to make a (long, low, etc.) leg1548
curtsya1556
dopc1557
binge1562
jouk1567
beckon1578
benda1586
humblea1592
vaila1593
to scrape a leg1602
congee1606
to give the stoop1623
leg1628
scrape1645
to drop a curtsy1694
salaam1698
boba1794
dip1818
to make (also perform) a cheese1834
a1500 (c1400) St. Erkenwald (1977) 138 (MED) Þe prelate passide on þe playn; þer plied to hym lordes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of bending > bend [verb (intransitive)] > forcibly
ply1735
1735 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. V. 43 Throttling, pressing in their arms, struggling, plying on all sides.
1845 T. B. Shaw in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 58 34 'Gainst the bank, like a Wrestler, he struggleth and plyeth.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > be occupied or busy (in or at something) [verb (intransitive)]
playOE
wendc1325
wallowc1380
busyc1384
plya1393
walka1400
stickle1566
to ply it1582
bebusied1603
to work overtime1938
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > care or heed [verb (intransitive)] > be diligent
plya1393
skelta1400
apply?a1439
ply1644
society > authority > subjection > obedience > manageability > be manageable [verb (intransitive)] > be or become compliant
plya1393
supplec1450
to come to (a person's) bow1570
comply1641
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) iii. 871 (MED) Whanne I to my ladi plie..and merci crie..sche no merci on me leith.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) 196 Þat..Prynce..Is displesed at uch a poynt þat plyes to scaþe.
a1450 (c1412) T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum (Harl. 4866) (1897) 1475 (MED) God for-beede þou þe haddist tyed Þer-to, but if þin herte myght han plyed ffor to obserue it wel.
a1492 W. Caxton tr. Vitas Patrum (1495) i. lxxxviii. f. cxxvv/1 For noo prayer he wolde not plye ne consente therto.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1897–1973) 281 (MED) Lok that ye lowte to my lykance..dilygently ply to my plesance.
1587 G. Turberville Tragicall Tales f. 10v I am content to plie vnto your pleasures out of hande.
1681 T. Otway Souldiers Fortune v. 63 Young-men..easily ply to what their wishes press'em.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 246 As they never disagreed, so all plied before them.
a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. iv. 307 Expecting that all things and all persons should ply to their interests and desires.
1827 T. Carlyle tr. J. A. Musæus in German Romance I. 40 With kindly indulgence plied into the daughter's will.
3. figurative. transitive. To change the will, disposition, or judgement of (a person); to bend the sense of (words); to adapt, accommodate. rare after 17th cent.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > persuade (a person) [verb (transitive)] > bend, incline, or dispose
bowc1380
plya1393
benda1538
to bend (also bring) (a person) to one's bow1570
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > adaptation or adjustment > adapt or adjust [verb (transitive)]
afaite?c1225
ablea1400
reducec1450
fashion1526
adapt1531
framec1537
handsome1555
accommode1567
apt?1578
square1578
fit1580
coapt1586
commodate1595
suit1595
dispose1602
adjust1611
agence1633
adaptate1638
plya1657
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > misinterpretation > distortion or perversion of meaning > pervert or distort [verb (transitive)]
crooka1340
deprave1382
pervertc1390
strainc1449
drawc1450
miswrest?a1475
bewrya1522
wry?1521
to make a Welshman's hose ofa1529
writhea1533
wrest1533
invert1534
wring?1541
depravate1548
rack1548
violent1549
wrench1549
train1551
wreathe1556
throw1558
detorta1575
shuffle1589
wriggle1593
distortc1595
to put, set, place, etc. on the rack1599
twine1600
wire-draw1610
monstrify1617
screw1628
corrupt1630
gloss1638
torture1648
force1662
vex1678
refract1700
warp1717
to put a force upon1729
twist1821
ply1988
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) ii. 3419 (MED) Ther mai no gold the Jugge plie, That he ne schal the sothe trie.
1447 O. Bokenham Lives of Saints (Arun.) (1938) 5985 (MED) Not-wythstondyng þat wyth wattry yhe The shypmen he preyid..Onneyth þei wolde to hys entent them plye.
1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 150 God leadeth and boweth..every person inwardly by his owne will, nor plyeth hee any man otherwise then voluntaryly.
1639 N. N. tr. J. Du Bosc Compl. Woman ii. 27 If other Arts have their particular tearms which they ply not to accomodate themselves to such as make no profession of them.
a1657 W. Mure Hist. Rowallane in Wks. (1898) II. 251 Haveing plyed himself much to the hwmore of the Duke of Albany.
1988 R. Goddard In Pale Battalions 103 But there's enough spite in this to ply your meaning, I reckon.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > extraction > extract [verb (transitive)] > twist out or up
to wring outc1420
to wring upc1440
wrestc1450
outtwinea1500
throwa1500
outwrest1590
twine1600
screw1611
to ply out1668
wrench1726
1668 J. Dryden Sr Martin Mar-all ii. 14 You must..still ply out of 'em your advantages.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2006; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
plyv.2
/plʌɪ/, U.S. /plaɪ/ I. To apply, and related senses.† 1. † 3. transitive. To overlay, to cover (over); to put (something) on or over. Obsolete.† 4. † b. intransitive. To employ or occupy oneself busily or steadily; to work at something; to apply, attend closely to; = apply v. 17a. Obsolete (Scottish in later use).
a. transitive (reflexive). To apply oneself assiduously (to); exert oneself (with a weapon, etc.). Cf. apply v. 17b. Obsolete.
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > care [verb (reflexive)] > use diligence or industry
plya1393
industriate1599
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) ii. 3146 (MED) Ay the mor that he envieth, The more ayein himself he plieth.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. ccxxvi. f. cxlvii Thys Henry in his youth plyed hym to suche study yt he was enstructe in the .vii. Artys lyberallys.
1590 E. Webbe Rare & Wonderfull Things (new ed.) sig. B3v The women of that Towne did ply themselues with their weapons, making a great Massacre upon our men.
1705 Papers Rev. J. Anderson 109 I..plyed myself to my study without any considerable distraction of thought.
b. transitive (reflexive). To address or commend oneself (to). Cf. apply v. 13b. Obsolete.
ΘΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > [verb (reflexive)] > appeal
reportc1425
address1567
apply1591
ply1668
1668 J. Owen Pract. Expos. 130th Psalm in Wks. (1851) VI. 379 He plies himself to God in Christ for pardon and mercy.
2. † c. transitive. to ply it: to apply or employ oneself. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To use, handle, or wield vigorously or diligently (an instrument, tool, weapon, etc.). Formerly also: †to employ, exercise (a faculty). Cf. apply v. 15b.
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or control > [verb (transitive)]
wind993
wieldOE
aweldc1175
bewieldc1200
demeanc1300
use1340
plya1393
governc1405
exercite1475
apply1531
manage1590
sway1609
manipulate1834
wage1836
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) iii. 504 (MED) The beste wordes wolde I pike..And so wolde my wordes plie, That mihten Wraththe and Cheste avale.
a1425 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (1987) i. 732 An asse..hereth sown whan men the strynges plye [v.r. pleye].
c1450 in Englische Studien (1925) 59 14 (MED) So wel ye konne..With goodely notes alle the strynges ply.
?1518 A. Barclay Fyfte Eglog sig. Biiijv Theyr wyt and body, all hole do they ply.
1589 R. Greene Menaphon sig. C3v Lamedon so plide his teeth, that all supper he spake not one word.
?1606 M. Drayton Ode xii, in Poemes sig. C7 Suffolke his axe did ply.
1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. i. ii. 20 He plies his small Shot;..Ply your Hand-Granadoes and Stink-Pots.
1704 Boston News-let. 2 Oct. 2/2 He..plying his great Guns and small Arms all the while upon them.
1718 M. Prior Solomon on Vanity ii, in Poems Several Occasions (new ed.) 433 A thousand maidens ply the purple loom.
1845 F. Douglass Narr. Life F. Douglass i. 4 He must not only whip them himself, but must stand by and see one white son..ply the gory lash to his naked back.
1873 E. Bulwer-Lytton Kenelm Chillingly I. ii. ix. 232 Thou canst ply a good knife and fork.
1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Æneid iii, in tr. Virgil in Eng. Verse 155 Together their oars they ply.
1903 W. W. Jacobs Odd Craft (1904) 112 He walked back rapidly to Bashford's Lane, and without giving his courage time to cool plied the knocker of No. 5 briskly.
1967 W. Styron Confessions Nat Turner ii. 146 They ply their hoes in unison, chop-chopping beneath the eyes of a black driver.
2001 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Nexis) 25 Feb. f1 When the ship drops anchor for the night, passengers ply the oars of two long boats.
b. transitive. To apply oneself to, practise, work at (one's business, an industry, a task, etc.). Cf. apply v. 15a. Also in extended use.
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > practice, exercise, or doing > practise or carry on [verb (transitive)]
doeOE
followOE
holda1100
found1340
exercec1374
enhaunta1382
usea1398
proceed1399
apply?c1400
practise?c1430
exercise1467
takea1500
plya1513
enure1549
prosecute1567
inurea1577
manage1579
to stand on ——1599
to carry on1638
cultivate1654
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. cxxxiv. f. lxxv Then they plyed nothynge that was worldely, but gaue them to prechynge and techynge.
1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions ii. xii. 269 Diligently to plye the reading of holy scripture.
1616 B. Jonson Forrest vi. 18 in Wks. (1640) I When youths ply their stolne delights.
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Exeter 273 Cloathing is plyed in this City, with great Industry and Judgment.
a1732 T. Boston Crook in Lot (1805) 17 People ply their businesses with skill and industry, but the wind turns in their face.
1785 W. Cowper Task iv. 150 The needle plies its busy task.
1867 S. Smiles Huguenots Eng. & Ireland v. 106 The town in which they plied their trade.
1926 Flynn's 30 Jan. 843/1 He did not ply his trade here, but after ‘turning a trick’ outside of the city, would return to Chicago.
2005 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 23 Jan. v. 1 Musicians, snake charmers, monkey handlers..start to appear, ready to ply their trades for the night.
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > be occupied or busy (in or at something) [verb (intransitive)]
playOE
wendc1325
wallowc1380
busyc1384
plya1393
walka1400
stickle1566
to ply it1582
bebusied1603
to work overtime1938
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias i. lxxviii. f.160v Also there were many Paraos and Tones,..a lading as fast as they could plye it.
1593 G. Gifford Dialogue Witches sig. E2 Then doeth hee [sc. the Devil] ply it, to bring the matter about that it may seeme he did it.
1607 B. Jonson Volpone iii. vii. sig. G3v A Courtier would not ply it so, for a place. View more context for this quotation
1619 E. M. Bolton tr. Florus Rom. Hist. 120 They forthwith plyde it with oare & saile.
1666 J. Bunyan Grace Abounding §110 I will ply it close, but I will have my end accomplished.
1727 W. Pattison Poet. Wks. I. 192 Not one of your damn'd common Whores, That ply it at your Merchant's Doors.
1858 P. J. Bailey Age 131 Those who ply it with such gross success.
ΘΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > cover [verb (transitive)] > with something bent or folded
plyc1400
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) 1385 Þe place þat plyed þe pursaunt wythinne.
tr. Palladius De re Rustica (Duke Humfrey) (1896) ii. 306 (MED) This is remedie..her rootes bare aboute To make, and stoonys white..to his rootis forto plie [L. congeruntur].
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 1517 (MED) He plyes ouire þe pauement with pallen webis.
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 5260 Hire palais was..Plied ouir with pure gold all þe plate-rofes.
a. transitive. To work away at; to attend to; to attack or assail vigorously or repeatedly (with some instrument or process). Obsolete.
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [verb (transitive)] > perform with labour, toil at
swinkc1175
travailc1384
laboura1393
ply1548
toil1552
sweat1589
belabour1604
drive1814
1548 W. Patten Exped. Scotl. Pref. sig. Aij Begunne, bylded, and soo well plyed in woorke, that in a fewe wekes..they wear made and left defensyble.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Seneca in Panoplie Epist. 307 That wound neuer groweth to a skarre, which is not plyed with playsters.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 544 Almond trees if they be plied with digging, will either not bloome at all, or else shed their floures before due time.
1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 11 Causing the ghing to ply the sea with their oares.
1652 Sea-fight between Eng. & Dutch 30 Nov. 4 So close and thick did they ply the enemy with Key-shot, long Chains, and Bolts of Iron.
1767 T. Hutchinson Hist. Province Massachusets-Bay, 1691–1750 181 The bomb-ship..plied the French with her shells.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > care or heed [verb (intransitive)] > be diligent
plya1393
skelta1400
apply?a1439
ply1644
1644 J. Milton Of Educ. 4 Ere halfe these Authors be read, which will soon be with plying hard, and dayly.
1714 ‘N. Ironside’ Orig. Canto Spencer xxxvi The strugling Fly..Who still for Freedom plies both fierce and bold.
a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. iv. 209 He that plies to his business finds it, when grown familiar to him, a state of satisfaction.
1810 J. Hogg Forest Minstrel 22 We sleep a' the night, an' we ply a' the day.
1825 New Monthly Mag. 14 13 I plied at Cicero and Demosthenes, I devoured every treatise on the art of rhetoric.
1899 C. M. Thomson Drummeldale 96 They'll want to ply on and get it up afore the rain comes on.
5. Cf. apply v. 18b.
a. transitive. To urge or solicit (a person) persistently or importunately; to keep on at (a person) with questions, petitions, arguments, etc.; †spec. (of a porter, boatman, etc.) to solicit patronage from (obsolete).
ΘΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)] > urge or importune
depressc1400
nurnc1400
pressc1440
labourc1450
instancea1513
instanta1513
importune1530
to lie at, upon1535
apply1559
urge1568
importunate1574
ply1581
to put on ——?a1600
flagitate1623
besiege1712
earwig1804
bone1856
tout1920
S.O.S.a1936
opportune1941
1581 N. Woodes Conflict of Conscience iv. i. sig. Eij What haue you caught but one and no moe? In fayth father Auarice, you haue plied your chaps well.
1587 G. Turberville Tragicall Tales f. 75 He daily plyde her mayde, Thereby to make her graunte And yelde him his desire.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iii. ii. 275 He [sc. Shylock] plyes the Duke at morning and at night. View more context for this quotation
a1639 J. Spottiswood Hist. Church Scotl. (1677) ii. 74 The Governors Brother did earnestly ply him to relinquish the English Alliance.
1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. iii. 237 Ply her with Love-letters, and Billets.
1725 New Canting Dict. Rattling Mumpers, such [beggars] as run after, or ply Coaches.
1765 C. Johnstone Chrysal IV. ii. xii. 229 He was over-taken by the waggon, the driver of which plied him in the usual way to take a place.
1778 Ann. Reg. 1777 215 One Holderness, a waterman, plied some gentlemen, and, when in his boat, asked where they were going.
1832 H. Martineau Ireland ii. 24 Her filial duty, religion, and love, all plied her at once in favour of an immediate marriage.
1858 W. Collins in Househ. Words 4 Sept. 276/1 An active, all-observing Cockney Conductor [of an Omnibus]..‘plied’ me with uplifted hand as if I had been in Holborn.
1883 A. Edersheim Life Jesus (ed. 6) II. 572 In vain did he ply Christ with questions.
1911 W. H. Koebel In Maoriland Bush viii. 128 Two or three Wahines ply the men lustily with..somewhat broad banter.
1988 P. Cutting Children of Siege i. 20 I plied him with questions about war surgery.
2005 East Bay (Calif.) Express (Nexis) 5 Jan. After making a batch of really strong mimosas, the students plied Jenn with questions.
b. transitive. To seek influence over (a person), esp. by hospitality, flattery, etc.; to supply insistently or repeatedly with food, drink, gifts, etc., esp. by way of temptation or inducement.
ΘΠ
the mind > possession > giving > offer or action of offering > offer [verb (transitive)] > offer to frequently
ply1602
1602 S. Rowlands Tis Merrie 11 She ply'd him with the Wine in golden Cup.
1701 J. Collier tr. Mythol. Pict. Cebes in M. Aurelius Conversat. 248 They make up to them with great Endearingness, and ply them strongly with Compliment and Flattery.
1728 J. Gay Beggar's Opera iii. ii. 41 The Dog is leaky in his Liquor, so I'll ply him that way, get the Secret from him, and turn this Affair to my own Advantage.
1840 J. T. J. Hewlett Peter Priggins xx, in New Monthly Mag. We must ply him with liquor, for I don't think a little will sew him up.
1856 R. A. Vaughan Hours with Mystics I. vi. iii. 224 To ply them more pressingly with food than with arguments.
1921 L. Strachey Queen Victoria i. 5 He went in, and found her obviously dying, while the doctors were plying her with wine.
1979 J. Grimond Memoirs ii. 46 I dined, was plied with claret and port, and returned to my house half an hour after midnight, very slightly drunk.
1992 Wall St. Jrnl. 4 Nov. a12/1 She hops into Scanias and Volvos, the drivers of which ply her with fragrant shampoo, edible salami and other Eastern bloc rarities.
II. In nautical and related uses.† 6. transitive. To use (a tide, etc.) to work a ship up a river, to windward, etc. Obsolete.† 7. † 8. transitive. To bear or bring to a place by journeying to and fro. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of tides > use tide [verb (transitive)]
plya1584
a1584 S. Borough in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (1589) ii. 317 We stopped the ebbes, and plyed all the flouds to the windewards, and made our way Eastnortheast.
a1621 W. Strachey True Reportory Wracke Sir T. Gates in S. Purchas Pilgrimes (1625) IV. ix. vi. 1748 From hence in two dayes (only by the helpe of Tydes, no winde stirring) wee plyed it sadly up the River.
1673 R. Haddock Jrnl. in Camden Misc. (1881) VIII. 29 We wayed to plye up, and plyed the tyde to an end.
a. intransitive. To beat up against the wind; to tack, work to windward. Cf. apply v. 12b. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of wind > avail oneself of a wind [verb (intransitive)] > tack or make tacks
to make boards1533
tack1557
traverse1568
ply1589
board1627
tackle1632
busk1635
trip1687
to beat abouta1774
to come about1777
to make short boards1777
1589 Voy. W. Towrson in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations i. 110 We wayed & plyed backe againe to seeke the Hinde.
c1595 Capt. Wyatt in G. F. Warner Voy. R. Dudley to W. Indies (1899) 11 Neither might wee plie up unto that iland, the winde was soe contrarie for our course.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World vi. 142 They always go before the Wind, being unable to ply against it.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. ii. 127 Her people were..so..weakned by sickness, as not to be able to ply up to windward.
1835 J. Ross Narr. Second Voy. North-west Passage iv. 52 It..assisted us very much in plying to windward.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Ply,..to work to windward, to beat.
b. intransitive. With about, off and on, to and again, up and down, etc. Also figurative. Obsolete.
Π
1590 J. White Fifth Voy. in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (1600) III. 291 Plying too and fro betweene the Matanças and Hauana, we were espied of three small Pinnasses of S. Iohn de Vllua bound for Hauana.
c1595 Capt. Wyatt in G. F. Warner Voy. R. Dudley to W. Indies (1899) 13 Afterwards..wee plied up and downe to finde the other carvell.
a1665 K. Digby Jrnl. Voy. to Mediterranean (1868) 7 The wind came easterly, so that wee plyed to and againe along the Spanish shore.
1665 J. Webb Vindic. Stone-Heng Restored 188 His own testimony by plying off and on, as he hath continually done, is so little to be valued.
1670 J. Milton Hist. Brit. ii. 37 Commanded to ply up and down continually with releif where they saw need.
1703 W. Dampier Voy. New Holland i. 10 Upon these Signs Ships either get up their Anchors, or slip their Cables and put to Sea, and ply off and on till the Weather is over.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. v. 175 Plying on and off till the 6th of October.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > [verb (transitive)] > by journeying to and fro
ply1590
1590 R. Greene Neuer too Late i. 40 The labouring Bees..Plied to the hiues sweete hony from those flowers.
9. intransitive. To direct one's course (in a ship), steer; to make towards. Also occasionally more generally: to travel, make one's way.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct one's course [verb (intransitive)]
thinkeOE
bowa1000
seta1000
scritheOE
minlOE
turnc1175
to wend one's wayc1225
ettlec1275
hieldc1275
standc1300
to take (the) gatec1330
bear?c1335
applyc1384
aim?a1400
bend1399
hita1400
straighta1400
bounc1400
intendc1425
purposec1425
appliquec1440
stevenc1440
shape1480
make1488
steera1500
course1555
to make out1558
to make in1575
to make for ——a1593
to make forth1594
plyc1595
trend1618
tour1768
to lie up1779
head1817
loop1898
c1595 Capt. Wyatt in G. F. Warner Voy. R. Dudley to W. Indies (1899) 4 Returninge with thease advertisements unto our Generall, wee plied for Plimworth.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. i. sig. A8 They chaunced to espie Two other knights, that towards them did ply. With speedie course. View more context for this quotation
1637 S. Rutherford Lett. (1863) I. 207 Oh, how fair have many ships been plying before the wind that, in an hour's space, have been lying in the sea-bottom!
1717 Boston News-let. 24 Apr. 2/1 A Pyrate Sloop of 10 Guns has for some weeks past been plying about the Capes of Virginia.
1779 F. Hervey et al. Naval Hist. Great Brit. II. 158 Returning light discovered the enemy seven leagues off Weymouth, whither the English plied, and came up with them in the afternoon.
1820 W. Scoresby Acct. Arctic Regions I. 309 We plied towards the land.
1849 A. H. Clough Poems & Prose Remains (1869) II. 39 When fell the night, upsprung the breeze, And all the darkling hours they plied.
1950 ‘B. James’ Advancement Spencer Button 49 Loutish youths..plied to and fro with yard-brooms and a kind of tray on wheels, collecting the manure and other refuse.
1999 Sunday Times (Nexis) 14 Feb. At night it [sc. Capri] darkly glows as the steamers and schooners ply towards it.
10. intransitive. Of a porter, boatman, taxi-driver, etc.: to wait for hire; to have one's stand at a certain place for hire or custom.
ΘΠ
society > occupation and work > working > [verb (intransitive)] > attend regularly for hire or custom
ply1626
subbie1983
1626 in H. Humpherus Hist. Origin & Progress Company of Watermen & Lightermen (1887) 218 Persons plying beyond the plying places set out by the rulers and overseers.
1686 R. L'Estrange Observator 21 Aug. The giving of a Box..out of One hand into Another, which any Porter that Plyes at the Next Corner, would do as Dext'rously, as ever a Doctor of the College.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 94. ¶8 He was..forced to think of plying in the Streets as a Porter.
1739 C. Labelye Short Acct. Piers Westm. Bridge 71 Room..for the Watermen to ply for Fares.
1774 C. Dibdin Waterman i. 9 And did you not hear of a jolly young waterman, Who at Black-friars Bridge used for to ply.
1840 F. Marryat Poor Jack viii. 47 There are competitors for every place, even the most humble; and..when I first plied there, I was often pushed away by those who were older and stronger than myself.
1885 Dict. National Biogr. at Broughton, John He was apprenticed to a Thames waterman, and, when at work on his own account, he generally plied at Hungerford Stairs.
1955 G. Greene Quiet Amer. i. v. 82 Everything was quiet except for the tring of bicycle-bells where the trishaw-drivers plied for hire.
2004 Times (Nexis) 29 Dec. 45 Black-cab drivers are licensed to ply for hire in specific areas only.
11.
a. transitive. Of a boat, motor vehicle, etc.: to traverse repeatedly (a passage or route).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > [verb (transitive)] > sail across
oversail?a1400
to put over1569
transfrete1595
transfretate1653
ply1700
passage1987
1700 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) II. 13 Ordered also That no fferryman shall be permitted to ply the River Delaware.
1812 Chron. in Ann. Reg. 115/1 James Dean..who plies the passage from Bulwell to Milford.
1897 Daily News 6 July 5/3 Hardy bargemen who ply Father Thames by day and night from Twickenham Ferry to the Nore.
1922 G. M. Trevelyan Brit. Hist. 19th Cent. xiii. 222 Steamships were already beginning to ply the waters.
1976 Eastern Evening News (Norwich) 29 Nov. 6/7 But could the first passenger pleasure steamer in Britain have plied the Yare, in Norfolk?
1998 Toronto Star (Nexis) 19 Dec. We're speaking of the custom-built tour bus—those chromed and sometimes wildly painted giants that ply the motorways.
b. intransitive. Of a ship, bus, plane, etc.: to go more or less regularly to and fro; to go between specified places.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > [verb (intransitive)] > to and fro between places
ply1738
society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > movement of vehicles > move or go along [verb (intransitive)] > go regularly between places
walka1475
ply1738
1738 in New Jersey Archives XI. 529 He also keeps a Passage-Boat to ply between New-York and Amboy.
1787 J. Ledyard Jrnl. 18 Aug. in Journey through Russia (1966) 159 Here is a Galiot that plies as packet in the Summer across the Lake.
1799 Naval Chron. 2 315 River Pirates..ply upon the Thames during the night.
1803 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1837) II. 370 A detachment..which plies between the Godavery and camp, will keep me free from want.
1865 Pall Mall Gaz. 27 June 10 Is there not a tram on a grand scale for the use of those long ugly Omnibus Americains which ply between Paris and Versailles.
1883 Harper's Mag. July 246/1 Great bridges span it here and there, and busy boats ply from side to side.
1930 Nature Mag. Mar. 134/3 Airliners ply between the leading cities with the regularity of trains.
1958 J. Carew Wild Coast xx. 241 Doorne..rented out a fleet of ballahoos..so that those who did not own these flat-bottomed punts could ply up and down.
1988 Holiday Which? Jan. 19/1 The Gondola steam yacht on Coniston plies between Coniston Pier and Park-a-Moor.
2005 Scotsman (Nexis) 20 Jan. 25 It may be too much to hope that a bullet train will ply between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2006; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1443v.1a1393
v.2a1393