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Webster 1913 Edition

Pliant

Pli′ant

,
Adj.
[F.
pliant
, p. pr. of
plier
to bend. See
Ply
,
Verb.
]
1.
Capable of plying or bending; readily yielding to force or pressure without breaking; flexible; pliable; lithe; limber; plastic;
as, a
pliant
thread;
pliant
wax
. Also used figuratively: Easily influenced for good or evil; tractable;
as, a
pliant
heart
.
The will was then ductile and
pliant
to right reason.
South.
2.
Favorable to pliancy.
[R.]
“A pliant hour.”
Shak.
–
Pli′ant-ly
,
adv.
–
Pli′ant-ness
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition

Pliant

PLI'ANT

,
Adj.
That may be easily bent; readily yielding to force or pressure without breaking; flexible; flexile; lithe; limber; as a pliant thread.
1.
That may be easily formed or molded to a different shape; as pliant wax.
2.
Easily yielding to moral influence; easy to be persuaded; ductile.
The will was then more ductile and pliant to right reason.

Definition 2025

pliant

pliant

English

Adjective

pliant ‎(comparative more pliant, superlative most pliant)

  1. Capable of plying or bending; readily yielding to force or pressure without breaking; flexible; pliable; lithe; limber; plastic; as, a pliant thread; pliant wax.
  2. (figuratively) Easily influenced for good or evil; tractable; as, a pliant heart.
    • 2013, A. J. Langguth, Patriots
      "[The king] had a pliant prime minister and a general who was telling him what he wanted to hear."

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French

Verb

pliant

  1. present participle of plier

Adjective

pliant m ‎(feminine singular pliante, masculine plural pliants, feminine plural pliantes)

  1. pliant
    Sa mère a acheté un vélo pliant. - His mother bought a folding bicycle.

Anagrams

Etymology

From Old French ploiant, present participle of ploiier ‎(“to fold”).

Pronunciation

  • Rhymes: -aɪənt

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