Collins English-English Dictionary

ply [plaɪ]

1. 1. vb [mainly tr] to carry on, pursue, or work at (a job, trade, etc)

2. 2. vb to manipulate or wield (a tool)

3. 3. vb to sell (goods, wares, etc), esp at a regular place

4. 4. vb [usually foll by with] to provide (with) or subject (to) repeatedly or persistently

   he plied us with drink the whole evening

   to ply a horse with a whip

   he plied the speaker with questions

5. 5. vi. [intr] to perform or work steadily or diligently

   to ply with a spade

6. 6. vi. [also intr] (esp of a ship) to travel regularly along (a route) or in (an area)

   to ply between Dover and Calais

   to ply the trade routes

7. 7. vi. [Etymology] C14 plye, short for aplye to apply

ply [plaɪ]

1. 1. n a layer, fold, or thickness, as of cloth, wood, yarn, etc

2. 2. n (in combination)

   four-ply

3. 3. n a thin sheet of wood glued to other similar sheets to form plywood

4. 4. n one of the strands twisted together to make rope, yarn, etc

5. 5. vt. [tr] to twist together (two or more single strands) to make yarn

6. 6. vt. [Etymology] C15: from Old French pli fold, from plier to fold, from Latin plicare