Supple | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Sŭp'ple, a.

adjective

(sŭp'pl), a. [Fr. souple, from Lat. supplex, bending the knees, from sub, under, and plicare, to fold; It. soffice.]

Pliant; flexible; easily bent; as, supple joints; supple fingers.
Yielding; compliant; not obstinate.

If punishment makes not the will supple, it hardens the offender. Locke.

Bending to the humor of others; flattering; fawning; obsequious.
Making pliant or flexible; as, supple government.

Syn.—Pliant; flexible; yielding; compliant; bending; flattering; fawning; soft.

Sŭp'ple, v. t.

verbtransitive

(sŭp'pl), v. t. [imp. & p. p. SUPPLED; p. pr. & vb. n. SUPPLING.] 1. To make soft and pliant; to render flexible; as, to supple leather. 2. To make compliant or submissive. “A mother persisting till she had suppled the will of her daughter.” Locke. They should supple our stiff willfulness. Barrow.

Sŭp'ple, v. i.

verbintransitive

(sŭp'pl), v. i. To become soft and pliant. “The stones . . . supplied into softness.” Dryden.