Sup·ply v. t. [imp. & p. p. Supplied p. pr. & vb. n. Supplying ]
1. To fill up, or keep full; to furnish with what is wanted; to afford, or furnish with, a sufficiency; as, rivers are supplied by smaller streams; an aqueduct supplies an artificial lake; -- often followed by with before the thing furnished; as, to supply a furnace with fuel; to supply soldiers with ammunition.
2. To serve instead of; to take the place of.
Burning ships the banished sun supply. --Waller.
The sun was set, and Vesper, to supply
His absent beams, had lighted up the sky. --Dryden.
3. To fill temporarily; to serve as substitute for another in, as a vacant place or office; to occupy; to have possession of; as, to supply a pulpit.
4. To give; to bring or furnish; to provide; as, to supply money for the war.
Syn: -- To furnish; provide; administer; minister; contribute; yield; accommodate.
supplying
n : the activity of supplying or providing something [syn: provision,
supply]