Sup"ple (?), a. [OE. souple, F.
souple, from L. supplex suppliant, perhaps originally,
being the knees. Cf. Supplicate.] 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. Addison.
Syn. -- Pliant; flexible; yielding; compliant; bending;
flattering; fawning; soft.
Sup"ple, v. t. [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.Sup"ple, v. i. To become soft and
pliant.
The stones . . .
Suppled into softness as they fell.
Dryden.