supple
see also: Supple
Pronunciation
  • (RP, America) IPA: /ˈsʌpəl/
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
    • 1693, [John Locke], “§78”, in Some Thoughts Concerning Education, London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […], OCLC 1161614482 ↗:
      If punishment […] makes not the will supple, it hardens the offender.
Translations Translations Translations Verb

supple (supples, present participle suppling; past and past participle suppled)

  1. (ambitransitive) To make or become supple.
    • The stones […] suppled into softness as they fell.
    • The flesh therewith she suppled and did steep.
  2. (transitive) To make compliant, submissive, or obedient.
    • 1693, [John Locke], “§78”, in Some Thoughts Concerning Education, London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […], OCLC 1161614482 ↗:
      a mother persisting till she had bent her daughter's mind and suppled her will
    • , Of contentment, patience and resignation to the will of God
      They should supple our stiff wilfulness.

Supple
Proper noun
  1. Surname



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