supple

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

• (Received Pronunciation, US) IPA^(key): /ˈsʌpəl/

• Audio (US)

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• Rhymes: -ʌpəl

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.

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.

Anagrams

• peplus

Verb

supplē

1. second-person singular present active imperative of suppleō