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plier

American  
[plahy-er] / ˈplaɪ ər /
especially British, plyer

noun

  1. (sometimes used with a singular verb) pliers, small pincers with long jaws, for bending wire, holding small objects, etc. (usually used withpair of ).

  2. a person or thing that plies.


plier British  
/ ˈplaɪə /

noun

  1. a person who plies a trade

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of plier

First recorded in 1560–70; ply 2 + -er 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And if you’re a fisherman, two models comes with plier pockets.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2017

Some French writer says, "Qu'il faut plier les grandes ailes de l'éloquence pour entrer dans un salon."

From Tales and Novels — Volume 07 by Edgeworth, Maria

Wet the spokes again and with the plier press the spokes well and bend them outward for a slight flare.

From Practical Basketry by Gill, Anna A.

Another use of this plier, also indicated, is to bend over the ends of the split pin in order to prevent it from falling out.

From Aviation Engines Design?Construction?Operation and Repair by Pag?, Victor Wilfred

Moi j'avois apperçu à l'écart un banc, sur lequel j'allai me mettre sans façon; mais on vint m'en tirer, et il me fallut plier le jarret et m'accroupir à terre avec les autres.

From The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation — Volume 10 Asia, Part III by Hakluyt, Richard

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