supply
UK: səˈplaɪ | US: səˈplaɪ
n. the act of providing something needed
vt. to provide something needed or desired
n. (economics) the amount of a good or service available
The word "supply" originates from the Old French "souplie," meaning "to fill up," which itself derives from the Latin "supplere" (sup- "under" + plere "to fill"). The original sense was "to fill up as a substitute," later evolving into "to provide what is needed." The morpheme "sup" implies support or substitution, while "ply" retains its core meaning of filling or folding (seen in words like "comply" or "plywood"). Over time, the word narrowed to focus on provisioning resources.
The company will supply all necessary materials for the project.
Fresh water supply is critical in drought-prone regions.
The store has a limited supply of the new product.
The government supplied aid to the disaster area.
Demand for electricity often exceeds supply in summer.