| ply | 1. To bend. "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) Origin: 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. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
|---|---|
| plymouth brethren | The members of a religious sect which first appeared at Plymouth, England, about 1830. They protest against sectarianism, and reject all official ministry or clergy. Also called Brethren, Christian Brethren, Plymouthists, etc. The Darbyites are a division of the Brethren. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |