From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishplyply1 /plaɪ/ verb (plied, plying, plies) 1 → ply your trade2 [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] writtenTTWTTCTRAVEL if a ship, bus etc plies between two places or across a place, it does that journey regularlyply between/across etc Two ferries ply between Tripoli and Malta every day.3 → ply for hire/trade4 [transitive] old use or literaryUSE/CONSUME to use a tool skilfully → ply somebody with something→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
ply• He fell in love with and married a princess after plying her father, the sultan, with many valuable gifts.• Mandy had plied her with tender loving care until the tears had come.• But new measures have been taken, and sweeping machines constantly ply the main streets collecting rubbish.• Besides, they often have kids of their own who are plying the same runs on snowboards.• Shall we see commercial sailing vessels ply the seas again?• The steam vessels plying to the island are mentioned.• We had been plied with hospitality so great that no one could go away hungry.ply between/across etc• There are ferry boats plying between different points, several sandy beaches, lots of yachts and dinghies and windsurfing.plyply2 noun (plural ply) [countable] a unit for measuring the thickness of thread, rope, plywood etc, based on the number of threads or layers that it has a sweater in four-ply yarnExamples from the Corpus
ply• It is effective whether you use delicate fine yarns or a simple four ply.• Today, it is more usual to replace the base with marine ply.• Economically, thinner ply is preferable, but needs strengthening to prevent curved steps.From Longman Business Dictionaryplyply /plaɪ/ verb (past tense and past participle plied) journalism1[transitive] to sell something60 retailers were plying their products on the radio.2ply your trade to work at your job or businesstwo outdoor barbers plying their trade on the beach3[intransitive, transitive] if a vehicle or boat plies between two places, it makes the journey regularlyply betweenferries plying between Dover and CalaisThe airline is not allowed to ply domestic routes. → ply somebody with something→ See Verb tableOrigin ply1 (1300-1400) apply ply2 (1500-1600) French pli, from Old French plier; → PLIERS 