ply

One layer in a material made from several layers.

• The outer ply had split.
• Each ply of wood is glued to the next.
• This board contains five thin plies.

How to use it: ply of something (We added another ply of wood.)

Similar words: layer

Common phrases: single ply, outer ply, ply of wood

One of the threads twisted together to make yarn or rope.

• One ply of the yarn broke.
• The rope has three plies twisted together.
• Separate each ply before repairing the damaged section.

How to use it: ply of something (One ply of the rope had snapped.)

Similar words: strand

Common phrases: single ply, yarn ply, ply of yarn

One move by one player in a game where two players take turns.

• One ply means one player moves.
• The chess engine searches twenty plies ahead.
• At this ply, the computer considers every legal move.

Similar words: half-move

Common phrases: one ply, search ply, ply depth

The state or condition that someone or something is in.

• The storm left the farm in a poor ply.
• He found his affairs in a sorry ply.
• The old house was in a worse ply than before.

Similar words: state, condition

Common phrases: poor ply, sorry ply

To work steadily and carefully at a job or activity.

• She plies her trade in the market.
• He plied his craft for forty years.
• Artists ply their trade along the river.

Similar words: practise, pursue

Common phrases: ply a trade, ply a craft

To keep giving or offering someone something, often to influence them.

• They plied us with food.
• The host plied his guests with wine all evening.
• She tried to ply him with gifts to win his support.

How to use it: ply someone with something (The host plied us with cake.)

Common phrases: ply with drink, ply someone with food

To repeatedly ask someone questions or make requests, putting pressure on them to respond.

• Reporters plied her with questions.
• The children plied him with requests for another story.
• They kept plying me with questions about my trip.

How to use it: ply someone with something (She plied the guide with questions.)

Similar words: bombard, press

Common phrases: ply with questions, ply someone with requests

To use a tool or weapon repeatedly and with effort.

• She plied her needle all evening.
• The rowers plied their oars against the current.
• He plied his axe until the tree fell.

Similar words: wield, use

Common phrases: ply an oar, ply a needle, ply an axe