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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

Etymology

From Middle English souple, from Old French souple, soupple ‎(“soft, lithe, yielding”), from Latin supplic-, supplex ‎(“suppliant, submissive, kneeling”), of uncertain formation. Either from sub + plicō ‎(“bend”) (compare complex), or from sub + plācō ‎(“placate”). More at sub-, placate.

Pronunciation

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