Supple
Supple (sup"p'l) , adjective
[Old English souple, French souple, from Latin supplex suppliant, perhaps originally, being the knees. Compare 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.
3.
Bending to the humor of others; flattering; fawning; obsequious. — Addison
Supple (sup"p'ld) , transitive verb
1.
To make soft and pliant; to render flexible; as, to supple leather.
The flesh therewith she suppled and did steep.
2.
To make compliant, submissive, or obedient.
A mother persisting till she had bent her daughter's mind and suppled her will.
They should supple our stiff willfulness.
Supple , intransitive verb
To become soft and pliant.
The stones...
Suppled into softness as they fell.