Sup"ple (?), a. [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.

 

© Webster 1913.


Sup"ple, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Suppled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Suppling (?).]

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.

 

© Webster 1913.


Sup"ple, v. i.

To become soft and pliant.

The stones . . . Suppled into softness as they fell. Dryden.

 

© Webster 1913.

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