Supple



GRE 蓝宝 Barron TOEFL

解释

GRE 红宝书

• adj.伸屈自如的
• ［英］ adj.伸屈自如的 ( readily adaptable or responsive to new situations)
• ［记］ 可能是supplicate ( 恳求、求饶) 的变体
• ［同］ 派生词: suppleness （n. 柔软）

Webster Collegiate

I. adjective (suppler; supplest)

• Etymology: Middle English souple, from Anglo-French suple, from Latin supplic-, supplex entreating for mercy, supplicant, perhaps from sub- + -plic- (akin to plicare to fold) — more at ply
• Date: 14th century
• 1.
  • a. compliant often to the point of obsequiousness
  • b. readily adaptable or responsive to new situations
• 2.
  • a. capable of being bent or folded without creases, cracks, or breaks ; pliant <supple leather>
  • b. able to perform bending or twisting movements with ease ; limber <supple legs of a dancer>
  • c. easy and fluent without stiffness or awkwardness <sang with a lively, supple voice — Douglas Watt>
• Synonyms: see elastic
• ? supplely or supply adverb
• ? suppleness noun

II. verb (suppled; suppling)

• Date: 14th century
• transitive verb
  • 1. to make pacific or complaisant <supple the tempers of your race — Laurence Sterne>
  • 2. to alleviate with a salve
  • 3. to make flexible or pliant
• intransitive verb
  • to become soft and pliant

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