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Added 9 October 2026

ply

/plaɪ/ noun

Latin root: plicāre Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about ply at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

One of the strands twisted together to make yarn or rope or thread; often used in combination.
three-ply cord
(usually in combinations) one of several layers of cloth or paper or wood as in plywood.

verb

Give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance.
The hostess provided lunch for all the guests
Apply oneself diligently.
Ply one's trade
Travel a route regularly.
Ships ply the waters near the coast

Origin

From Middle English pleit, plit, plite (“a fold, pleat, wrinkle; braid, strand in a braided cord, ply”), from Anglo-Norman pli, plei, pleit, and Middle French pli, ploy, ply (“a fold, pleat; joint in armour; situation, state”) (modern French pli (“a fold, pleat”)), from plier, ployer (“to bend, fold”), from Latin plicāre (“to bend, fold, roll up”), from Proto-Indo-European *pleḱ- (“to fold, plait, weave”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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