Plying

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Ply \Ply\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
     {Plying}.] [OE. plien, F. plier to fold, to bend, fr. L.
     plicare; akin to Gr. ?, G. flechten. Cf. {Apply}, {Complex},
     {Display}, {Duplicity}, {Employ}, {Exploit}, {Implicate},
     {Plait}, {Pliant}, {Flax}.]
     1. To bend. [Obs.]


        [1913 Webster]
  
              As men may warm wax with handes plie. --Chaucer.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              And plies him with redoubled strokes  --Dryden.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              He plies the duke at morning and at night. --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. To employ diligently; to use steadily.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Go ply thy needle; meddle not.        --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. To practice or perform with diligence; to work at.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Their bloody task, unwearied, still they ply.
                                                    --Waller.
        [1913 Webster]