See Also: supple(1)(dictionary)
supple(2)(dictionary)
supple(dictionary)
supple-jack(medicine)

supple(1) (iou)



supple adjective & verb. ME.
[Old & mod. French souple from Proto-Romance from Latin supplic-, supplex submissive, suppliant, formed as SUB- + plicare fold, bend.]
A. adjective.
Easily bent or folded without breaking or cracking, pliant, flexible; (of a person, the body, etc.) capable of bending easily and gracefully, lithe; (of movement etc.) characterized by graceful flexibility. ME.
S. Colvin In spite of her build, she was supple..in all her movements. Mollie Harris Willow sticks..did not become brittle but remained supple. A. S. Byatt Her..kid gloves were supple.
fig. Yielding readily to persuasion or influence, compliant. (Foll. by to.) ME.
b. Of the mind etc.: adaptable, elastic. L18.
Artfully or servilely submissive or obsequious, ingratiatingly accommodating. E17.
Clever, cunning. Scot. E18.
b. verb.
a. verb trans. Make supple, pliant, or flexible; (long arch.) make submissive or compliant, mollify. ME.
J. R. Lowell To supple and to train the faculties. J. Buchan Hard new boots not yet suppled by use.
b. verb intrans. Become supple or flexible; (long arch.) be submissive or compliant (to). rare. LME.
verb trans. Soothe (a wound, swelling, etc.) by applying a dressing, ointment, etc.; anoint with oil etc. LME-L17.
verb trans. Reduce the hardness of, soften. M16-E18.