to work with or at diligently; employ busily; use

to ply the needle.

to carry on, practice, or pursue busily or steadily

to ply a trade.

to treat with or apply to (something) repeatedly (often fol. by with )

to ply a fire with fresh fuel.

to assail persistently

to ply horses with a whip.

to supply with or offer something pressingly to

to ply a person with drink.

to address (someone) persistently or importunately, as with questions, solicitations, etc.; importune.

to pass over or along (a river, stream, etc.) steadily or on a regular basis

boats that ply the Mississippi.

to run or travel regularly over a fixed course or between certain places, as a boat, bus, etc.

to perform one's work or office busily or steadily

to ply with the oars; to ply at a trade.

verb

be lazy , idle

verb

carry on , dispense , employ , exercise , exert , follow , function , handle , maneuver , manipulate , practice , pursue , put out , swing , throw , utilize , wield , crease , double , pleat , ruck , bend , comply , fold , importune , mold , shape , steer , urge , work