ply
UK: plaɪ | US: plaɪ
n. a layer or strand of material (e.g., "three-ply tissue")
vt. to work diligently at a task (e.g., "ply a trade")
vt. to travel regularly along a route (e.g., "ferries ply the river")
vt. to offer persistently (e.g., "ply someone with questions")
ply = pli<fold> + y<verb-forming suffix>
- pli (from Latin plicare, meaning "to fold") → retains the core idea of layering or repetition.
- y (a verb-forming suffix in English, indicating action or process).
Etymology Origin:
The word "ply" traces back to the Latin plicare ("to fold"), which also gave rise to words like "comply" (fold together) and "imply" (fold into). In Middle English, it evolved to mean "to bend" or "to layer," reflecting physical folding (e.g., plywood) or repetitive action (e.g., plying a trade). The modern senses—layers, diligent work, or persistent offering—all stem from this foundational idea of folding or repetition.
This yarn is made of two-ply strands twisted together.
She plies her craft as a potter with great skill.
Boats ply the waters between the islands daily.
He plied the guests with food and drink all evening.
The truck driver plies the same route every week.