Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PLY, v.i.

1. To bend; to yield. The willow plied and gave way to the gust. – L'Estrange.
2. To work steadily. He was forced to ply in the streets. – Spectator.
3. To go in haste. Thither he plies undaunted. – Milton.
4. To busy one's self; to be steadily employed. – Dryden.
5. To endeavor to make way against the wind. – Mar. Dict.