supply

I. verb (supplied; supplying) Etymology: Middle English supplien to complete, compensate for, from Middle French soupplier, from Latin supplēre to fill up, complete, raise (a military unit, crew) to its full complement, substitute, from sub- up + plēre to fill — more at sub-, full Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. to add as a supplement 2. [Middle French souploier, alteration of soupplier] a. to provide for ; satisfy <

laws by which the material wants of men are supplied — Bulletin of Bates College

> b. to make available for use ; provide <

supplied the necessary funds

> c. to satisfy the needs or wishes of d. to furnish (organs, tissues, or cells) with a vital element (as blood or nerve fibers) 3. to substitute for another in; specifically to serve as a supply in (a church or pulpit) intransitive verb to serve as a supply or substitute • supplier noun II. noun (plural supplies) Date: 15th century 1. obsolete assistance, succor 2. a. obsolete reinforcements — often used in plural b. a member of the clergy filling a vacant pulpit temporarily c. the quantity or amount (as of a commodity) needed or available <

beer was in short supply in that hot weather — Nevil Shute

> d. provisions, stores — usually used in plural 3. the act or process of filling a want or need <

engaged in the supply of raw materials to industry

> 4. the quantities of goods or services offered for sale at a particular time or at one price 5. something that maintains or constitutes a supply