Supple \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Supple \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Supple \Sup"ple\, v. i. To become soft and pliant.

The stones . . . Suppled into softness as they fell. --Dryden.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)