noun.
A fold; a thickness: often used in composition to designate the number of thicknesses or twists of which anything is made: as, three-ply thread; three-ply carpets.
noun.
Bent; turn; direction; bias.
1 To bend; mold; shape.
To draw: work.
To use or employ diligently; keep on using with diligence and persistence; apply one's self steadily to; keep busy with; toil at.
To practise or perform with diligence and persistence; pursue steadily: as, to ply one's trade.
To attack or assail briskly, repeatedly, or persistently.
To address with importunity or persistent solicitation; urge, or keep on urging or soliciting, as for a favor.
To offer with persistency or frequency; press upon for acceptance; continue to present or supply: as, to ply one with drink, or with flattery.
To apply; devote with persistency or perseverance.
To exert; acquit.
To bend: yield; incline.
To keep at work or in action; busy one's self; work steadily; be employed.
To proceed in haste; sally forth.
To go back and forth or backward and forward over the same course; especially, to run or sail regularly along the same course, or between two fixed places or ports; make more or less regular trips: as, the boats that ply on the Hudson; the steamers that ply between New York and Fall River; the stage plied between Concord and Boston: said both of the vessels or vehicles that make the trips and of those who sail or run them.
Nautical, to beat; tack; work to windward: as, to ply northward.
To offer one's services for trips or jobs, as boatmen, hackmen, carriers, etc.