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View synonyms for supple

supple

[ suhp-uhl ]

adjective

, sup·pler, sup·plest.
  1. bending readily without breaking or becoming deformed; pliant; flexible:

    a supple bough.

  2. characterized by ease in bending; limber; lithe:

    supple movements.

  3. characterized by ease, responsiveness, and adaptability in mental action.
  4. compliant or yielding.
  5. obsequious; servile.


verb (used with or without object)

, sup·pled, sup·pling.
  1. to make or become supple.

supple

/ ˈsʌpəl /

adjective

  1. bending easily without damage
  2. capable of or showing easy or graceful movement; lithe
  3. mentally flexible; responding readily
  4. disposed to agree, sometimes to the point of servility


verb

  1. rare.
    to make or become supple

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Derived Forms

  • ˈsuppleness, noun

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Other Words From

  • supple·ness noun
  • un·supple adjective
  • un·supple·ness noun
  • un·supp·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of supple1

1250–1300; (adj.) Middle English souple flexible, compliant < Old French: soft, yielding, lithe < Latin supplic- (stem of supplex ) submissive, suppliant, equivalent to sup- sup- + -plic-, variously explained as akin to plicāre to fold 1, bend (thus meaning “bent over”; complex ), or to plācāre to placate 1 (thus meaning “in the attitude of a suppliant”); (v.) Middle English supplen to soften, derivative of the noun (compare Old French asoplir )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of supple1

C13: from Old French souple, from Latin supplex bowed

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Example Sentences

But that wine, a balanced blend of supple fruit, focused acidity and sweet spice, was my wake-up call.

Loose silk pants, cozy ponchos, and supple leggings were all a part of the equation.

There is a diversity of voices within Hamas, some more supple than others.

They are still comparatively supple, and any misplaced pinnæ may be re-arranged without any difficulty.

He did not say good night until she had become supple to his gentle, seductive entreaties.

With a quick and supple movement he was beside her, stretching his length upon the ground in the shadow of the mountain.

I had put my arms about her waist, and I felt her supple body weigh lightly on my clasped hands.

His neck was long, more supple and active, he kept moving his head in an unnatural watchfulness like a wild animal's.

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