DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 ply /ˈplaɪ/
 厚度,板層,褶(vt.)使用,使勁揮舞,從事,折,彎(vi.)辛勤工作,定期往返

 Ply v. t. [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.

 Ply, v. i.
 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. Naut. To work to windward; to beat.

 Ply, n.
 1. A fold; a plait; a turn or twist, as of a cord.
 2. Bent; turn; direction; bias.
    The late learners can not so well take the ply.   --Bacon.
    Boswell, and others of Goldsmith's contemporaries, . . . did not understand the secret plies of his character.   --W. Irving.
    The czar's mind had taken a strange ply, which it retained to the last.   --Macaulay.
 Note: ☞ Ply is used in composition to designate folds, or the number of webs interwoven; as, a three-ply carpet.
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 ply
      n 1: one of the strands twisted together to make yarn or rope or
           thread; often used in combination; "three-ply cord";
           "four-ply yarn"
      2: (usually in combinations) one of several layers of cloth or
         paper or wood as in plywood
      v 1: provide what is desired or needed, especially support, food
           or sustenance; "The hostess provided lunch for all the
           guests" [syn: provide, supply, cater]
      2: apply oneself diligently; "Ply one's trade"
      3: travel a route regularly; "Ships ply the waters near the
         coast" [syn: run]
      4: wield vigorously; "ply an axe"
      5: use diligently; "ply your wits!"
      [also: plied]