(pl. -ies)
1
- a thickness or layer of a folded or laminated material（折叠或胶合材料的）一层, 一层厚。
1.1
- usu. in combination a strand of yarn or rope一股（纱线或绳子）。
1.2
- the number of multiple layers or strands of which something is made层（数）, 股（数）：
the yarn can be any ply from two to eight.
纱线可以是2到8股。
3
- mass noun(in game theory) the number of levels at which branching occurs in a tree of possible outcomes, typically corresponding to the number of moves ahead (in chess strictly half-moves ahead) considered by a computer program（游戏规则用语）级数, 步数, 着数, 招数。
3.1
- count noun a half-move (i.e. one player's move) in computer chess（电脑象棋中的）半步。
词源
late Middle English （in the sense 'fold'）： from French pli 'fold'， from the verb plier, from Latin plicare 'to fold'.
(-ies, -ied)with obj.
1
- work with (a tool, especially one requiring steady, rhythmic movements)（尤指持续有节奏地）使用, 挥动：
a tailor delicately plying his needle.
灵巧地使着针的裁缝。
1.1
- work steadily at (one's business or trade); conduct（辛勤地或不停地）从事, 做。
2
- no obj., with adverbial of direction(of a vessel or vehicle) travel regularly over a route, typically for commercial purposes（船或车辆尤指为商业目的而定期）航行于, 往返于：
ferries ply across a strait to the island.
渡船横穿海峡开往海岛。
2.1
- with obj. travel over (a route) in this way（定期）航行于, 往返于：
the fleet has plied the Bristol Channel since Victorian times.
从维多利亚时代开始, 那船队就往返于布里斯托尔海峡之间。
3
ply someone with
provide someone with (food or drink) in a continuous or insistent way不断提供, 硬要给（食物, 饮料）：she plied me with tea and scones.
她不断地给我斟茶夹饼。
3.1
- direct (numerous questions) at someone不断提问。
短语
ply for hire
- search for or be available for customers to hire候客, 等生意。
词源
late Middle English: shortening of APPLY.