Entry 6 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Supple

/(sŭp"p'l)/ · Sup·ple · IPA /ˈsʌpəl/

01 a. Pliant; flexible; easily bent; as, supple joints; supple fingers.

1.
Pliant; flexible; easily bent; as, supple joints; supple fingers.
2.
Yielding; compliant; not obstinate; submissive to guidance; as, a supple horse.
“If punishment . . . makes not the will supple, it hardens the offender.” — Locke.
3.
Bending to the humor of others; flattering; fawning; obsequious.

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

02 v. t. To make soft and pliant; to render flexible; as, to supple leather.

imp. & p. p. Suppled; p. pr. & vb. n. Suppling

1.
To make soft and pliant; to render flexible; as, to supple leather.
“The flesh therewith she suppled and did steep.” — Spenser.
2.
To make compliant, submissive, or obedient.
“A mother persisting till she had bent her daughter's mind and suppled her will.” — Locke.

“They should supple our stiff willfulness.” — Barrow.

03 v. i. To become soft and pliant.

1.
To become soft and pliant.
“The stones . . . Suppled into softness as they fell.” — Dryden.