[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/supple/)

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# supple

adjective (supple, suppler, supplest)

«supple» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Able to bend and move easily: a supple body, supple joints. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/supple/#m1)
2. Soft and bending without cracking: supple leather, a supple branch. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/supple/#m2)

### In the lessons

A body and materials word. In PE, stretching keeps muscles supple; gymnasts and dancers are very supple. In science, materials like rubber and willow twigs are supple. In The Wind in the Willows, the supple willow branches bend over the river.

### Examples

- Gymnasts are very supple. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/supple/#x1)
- Stretching every day keeps your body supple. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/supple/#x2)
- Willow twigs are supple enough to weave baskets. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/supple/#x3)
- The old leather boots were still soft and supple. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/supple/#x4)
- Cats are supple and can squeeze through gaps. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/supple/#x5)
- Oil keeps the saddle supple. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/supple/#x6)

### Note

Adjective; comparative «suppler», superlative «supplest»; noun «suppleness». Similar: flexible, bendy. Opposite: stiff, rigid.

## In Jewish tradition

Made flexible and strong, said of the arms of Joseph in Jacob's blessing.

**Interpretation.** Tradition reads this as God giving Joseph strength to stay steady against temptation and hardship.

### Examples

- But his bow abode firm, and the arms of his hands were made supple, by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, from thence, from the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel, (Torah GEN.49.24, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/supple/#x1)

### Note

Adjective; comparative «suppler», superlative «supplest»; noun «suppleness». Similar: flexible, bendy. Opposite: stiff, rigid.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «supple» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/supple/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«supple» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/supple.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «supple» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/supple/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«supple» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/supple.html) on Mova free.