Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - supple

 I. adjective  (~r; ~st)  Etymology: Middle English souple, from Anglo-French suple, from Latin supplic-, ~x entreating for mercy, supplicant, perhaps from sub- + -plic- (akin to plicare to fold) — more at ply  Date: 14th century  1.  a. compliant often to the point of obsequiousness  b. readily adaptable or responsive to new situations  2.  a. capable of being bent or folded without creases, cracks, or breaks ; pliant ~ leather  b. able to perform bending or twisting movements with ease ; limber ~ legs of a dancer  c. easy and fluent without stiffness or awkwardness sang with a lively, ~ voice — Douglas Watt  Synonyms: see elastic  • ~ly or supply adverb  • ~ness noun  II. verb  (~d; suppling)  Date: 14th century  transitive verb  1. to make pacific or complaisant ~ the tempers of your race — Laurence Sterne  2. to alleviate with a salve  3. to make flexible or pliant  intransitive verb to become soft and pliant