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Webster 1913 Edition


Supple

Sup′ple

(sŭp′p’l)
,
Adj.
[OE.
souple
, F.
souple
, from L.
supplex
suppliant, perhaps originally, being the knees. Cf.
Supplicate
.]
1.
Pliant; flexible; easily bent;
as,
supple
joints;
supple
fingers
.
2.
Yielding; compliant; not obstinate; submissive to guidance;
as, a
supple
horse
.
If punishment . . . makes not the will
supple
, it hardens the offender.
Locke.
3.
Bending to the humor of others; flattering; fawning; obsequious.
Addison.
Syn. – Pliant; flexible; yielding; compliant; bending; flattering; fawning; soft.

Sup′ple

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Suppled
(sŭp′p’ld)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Suppling
(sŭp′plĭng)
.]
1.
To make soft and pliant; to render flexible;
as, to
supple
leather
.
The flesh therewith she
suppled
and did steep.
Spenser.
2.
To make compliant, submissive, or obedient.
A mother persisting till she had bent her daughter’s mind and
suppled
her will.
Locke.
They should
supple
our stiff willfulness.
Barrow.

Sup′ple

,
Verb.
I.
To become soft and pliant.
The stones . . .
Suppled
into softness as they fell.
Dryden.

Webster 1828 Edition


Supple

SUP'PLE

, a.
1.
Pliant; flexible; easily bent; as supple joints; supple fingers.
2.
Yielding; compliant; not obstinate.
If punishment--makes not the will supple, it hardens the offender.
3.
Bending to the humor of others; flattering; fawning.
4.
That makes plaint; as supple government.

SUP'PLE

,
Verb.
T.
To make soft and pliant; to render flexible; as, to supple leather.
1.
To make compliant.
A mother persisting till she had suppled the will of her daughter.

SUP'PLE

,
Verb.
I.
To become soft and pliant; as stones suppled into softness.

Definition 2024


supple

supple

English

Adjective

supple (comparative suppler, superlative supplest)

  1. pliant, flexible, easy to bend
  2. lithe and agile when moving and bending
    supple joints; supple fingers
  3. compliant; yielding to the will of others
    a supple horse
    • John Locke
      If punishment [] makes not the will supple, it hardens the offender.

Translations

Verb

supple (third-person singular simple present supples, present participle suppling, simple past and past participle suppled)

  1. To make or become supple.
    • Dryden
      The stones [] suppled into softness as they fell.
    • Spenser
      The flesh therewith she suppled and did steep.
  2. To make compliant, submissive, or obedient.
    • John Locke
      a mother persisting till she had bent her daughter's mind and suppled her will
    • Barrow
      They should supple our stiff willfulness.

Translations


Latin

Verb

supplē

  1. second-person singular present active imperative of suppleō