Ply — Defs

01 v. t. To bend.

imp. & p. p. Plied; p. pr. & vb. n. Plying

1.
To bend.[Obs.]
“As men may warm wax with handes plie.” — Chaucer.
2.
To lay on closely, or in folds; to work upon steadily, or with repeated acts; to press upon; to urge importunately; as, to ply one with questions, with solicitations, or with drink.
“And plies him with redoubled strokes” — Dryden.

“He plies the duke at morning and at night.” — Shak.
3.
To employ diligently; to use steadily.
“Go ply thy needle; meddle not.” — Shak.
4.
To practice or perform with diligence; to work at.
“Their bloody task, unwearied, still they ply.” — Waller.

02 v. i. To bend; to yield.

1.
To bend; to yield.[Obs.]
“It would rather burst atwo than plye.” — Chaucer.

“The willow plied, and gave way to the gust.” — L'Estrange.
2.
To act, go, or work diligently and steadily; especially, to do something by repeated actions; to go back and forth; as, a steamer plies between certain ports.
“Ere half these authors be read (which will soon be with plying hard and daily).” — Milton.

“He was forced to ply in the streets as a porter.” — Addison.

“The heavy hammers and mallets plied.” — Longfellow.
3.
To work to windward; to beat.(Naut.)

03 n. A fold; a plait; a turn or twist, as of a cord.