Ply Definition

plī
plied, plies, plying
verb
plied, plies, plying
To join together, as by molding or twisting.
American Heritage
To bend or submit.
Webster's New World
To bend, twist, fold, or mold.
Webster's New World
To do work with; wield or use (a tool, faculty, etc.), esp. with energy.
Webster's New World
To engage in diligently; practice.
Plied the carpenter's trade.
American Heritage
Antonyms:
  • be lazy
  • idle
noun
plies
A single thickness, fold, or layer, as of doubled cloth, plywood, etc.
Webster's New World
One of the sheets of wood glued together to form plywood.
American Heritage
A layer of rubber-coated fabric, often of nylon or polyester cords, forming the body of an automobile tire.
American Heritage
The state of being bent or twisted.
Webster's New World
One of the twisted strands in rope, yarn, etc.
Webster's New World
adjective
Having (a specified number of) layers, thicknesses, or strands.
Three-ply.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Ply

Noun

Singular:
ply
Plural:
plies

Origin of Ply

  • Middle English plien from Old French plier alteration of pleier from Latin plicāre to fold plek- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle English, from Middle French pli (“pleat, fold"), from plier (“bend, fold"), from Latin plico (“fold, fold together")

    From Wiktionary

  • From Middle English plien (“bend, fold, mold"), from Middle French plier (“bend, fold"), see Etymololgy 1.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English plien from applien to apply apply

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle English plien, short for applien (“apply")

    From Wiktionary

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