Pronunciation: [plˈa͡ɪ wɪð] (IPA) 
The phrase "ply with" means to comply with something or to furnish someone with something. Its pronunciation is /plaɪ wɪð/. The letter "y" in "ply" makes a /aɪ/ sound while the letter "w" in "with" makes a /w/ sound. The "th" sound is represented by the letters "th" in "with". The spelling of "ply with" is straightforward, but its meaning may be confusing to non-native English speakers.
"Ply with" is a phrasal verb that denotes the action of providing or offering someone with something, often in an attempt to persuade or influence them. It implies the act of presenting or offering something repeatedly and insistently, with the intention of gaining someone's favor, cooperation, or compliance.
When one "plies someone with" something, they are incessantly presenting or offering that something, be it goods, services, or information, in order to convince or influence the other person. This action can involve repeatedly providing or offering favors, requests, food, drinks, questions, advice, or any other form of inducement or enticement. It can also refer to the act of persistently questioning or interrogating someone to obtain certain information or responses.
The term "ply with" is often used in social, business, or professional contexts. For example, a salesperson may ply a potential customer with various promotional offers to convince them to make a purchase. Similarly, a journalist may ply a source with questions in order to obtain exclusive information for an article or interview. It can also describe the act of offering food and drinks generously at a social gathering to ensure guests' comfort and enjoyment.
Overall, "ply with" indicates a persistent and persuasive effort to provide or offer something to someone in order to achieve a desired outcome, cooperation, or response.
The expression "ply with" is derived from Middle English, specifically from the word "plien" or "plyen", which means "to bend" or "to fold". This Middle English term originated from Old English "plēgan", which carried the meaning of "to bend", "to bow", or "to yield". Over time, the word "plēgan" developed into various forms, including "playen", "pleyen", and eventually "ply" in modern English. By combining "ply" with the preposition "with", the phrase "ply with" emerged, signifying the act of using persuasion, temptation, or influence in order to sway someone or obtain a desired outcome.
