\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.