Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ply, v.¹ Also: play. [ME. and e.m.E. plyen (Chaucer), plien, ply, OF. plier, secondary form of pleiier, mod. F. plier and ployer, L. plīcāre to fold.]

1. tr. a. To fold or double over (cloth, paper or the like); to shape by bending or the like.Also, once, to ply up.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxiv. 343.
He … Plyit that bil ore he wald leef & it closyt in his nefe 1494 Loutfut MS. 33 b.
The schell … will werth sa hard that he may nocht ply it(2) c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 15134.
Vp scho plyit the figure subtelly And put it in hir bosum

b. fig. and reflex. To adapt (oneself). 1611-57 Mure Hist. Rowallane 251.
Rankine … haveing plyed himself much to the humore of the Duke of Albany … rose to no meane respect

2. intr. To bend; to be pliable or yielding. b. fig. To submit, comply; to yield. 1494 Loutfut MS. 28 a.
Quhar thair is bissons of abreceaux … quhilkis bowis and plyis in diuers maneris … and the mair thai be pliand thai ar war to brek 1665 Lauder Jrnl. 81.
Gold … so fine it wil ply like wax —b. a1570-86 Maitl. F. clxxii. 42.
Thane hart heild nocht ane hair Nor in thi prisone ply

3. tr. ? To provide a backing or lining to (a garment or quilting); ? to reinforce with pleated or folded material. 1602 Tailor's Acc. Bk. A. 26.
iij ellis of plading to ply the sleivis and mak the lyning with 1604 Ib. 26 b.
Stenting to ply ȝour breikis with 1688 Douglas Bequest 24 July.
Silke prenella … caligaw to play it a 1700 Bk. Dunvegan I. 194.
Pladin to play night gown