Question

71. plic, plicate, ply [L]=

Accepted Answer

to bend or fold 弯，折
常用词apply，appliance，applicant，application 之间存在着词义相连的派生关系。这组词中
包含的ply（pli），plic，plicate 都是拉丁动词plicare 的词根。plic 是不定词干，plicate 是动
名词干；pli 是plic 在法语中的形式，ply 则是pli 经英语“正字”之后的标准形式，只能出
现在动词的词尾。这些异形根形式多样,词根的基本义却较简单，相当于to fold（折）或to bend
（弯）。

apply [ap-(ad-)=to 向；ply=to fold 折→“to fold to something so as to attach it 折向某物以便与
之相连”→] v.① put to use 运用，应用：to apply the brakes 扳闸刹车② be suitable 适用：
The theory doesn't apply in this case.这个理论在此行不通。③request（to attach to）申请（参
与）：She applied to several colleges.她向好几个大学申请入学。

▽appliance [appli (=apply);-ance n.] n.器具，器械；应用
applicable [ap-;plic;-able a.] a.可应用的；适用的
applicant [ap-;plic;-ant n.] n.申请者
application [ap-;plicat;-ion n.] n.申请；申请书

imply [im-(in-)=in 进；ply=to fold 折→“to fold in so as not to show out 折进去以免直露”→] v.
① indicate or suggest without words 暗指，暗示：His actions implied a lack of faith. 他的行为
暗示缺乏信任。② involve as necessary 必然包含：A fair trial implies a jury that is not biased.
一场公平审判的前提是陪审团必须公正不倚。

▽implicit [im-;plic;-it a.] a.含蓄的；内含的
implicate [im-;plic;-ate v.] v.涉及；意味着；暗指
implication [im-;plic;-ation n.] n.涉及；暗示，暗指

reply [re-=back 回；ply=to fold 折→“to fold back 折回”→] v.① respond by action 反应，回
应：to reply to the enemy's fire 反击敌火的炮火② give an answer 回答，答复：to reply to a
question 回答问题

▽replicate [re-;plic;-ate a.] a.折转的，反折的
replication [re-;plic;-ation] n.反折；回答

multiply [multi=many 多；ply=to fold 折→“to fold many times 折叠多次”→] v. ① (cause) to
grow in number（使）增加：Problems multi-plied under his leadership.由于他的领导，问题增
多了。② find the product by multiplication 乘：to multiply 3 by 4 3 乘4

▽multiplier [multipl(y);-ier n.] n.乘数
multiplication [multi;plic;-ation n.] n.增加；乘法

comply [com-=together 一起；ply=to bend 弯→“to bend together 一起弯下腰来”→] v. obey
依从，服从：to comply with rules 遵守规则

▽compliance [compl(y);-iance n.] n.依从；服从
compliant [compl(y);-iant a.] a.依从的；服从的
compliment [compl(y);-iment n.] n.恭维（话）

complicate [com-=together 一起；plic=to fold 折；-ate v.=to make 使……→“to make (things) fold
together 使事物折叠在一起”→]Ⅰv. make intricate or difficult 使复杂化：There is no need to
complicate matters.没有必要使事情复杂化。

▽complication [complicat(e);-ion n.] n.纠纷，复杂；复杂化

explicate [ex-=out 出；plic=to fold 折；-ate v. =to make 使……→“to make something fold out to
be seen 使某物折翻外露”→] v. explain in detail 解释，说明：to explicate a theory 阐述理论

▽explication [explicat(e);-ion n.] n.说明，阐述
explicative [explicat(e);-ive a.] a.解释的，说明的
explicit [ex-;plic;-it a.] a.详述的，明确的
explicable [ex-;plic;-able a.] a.可解释的，可说明的
supplicate [sup- (sub-) =under 下；plic =to bend 弯；-ate v. =to make 使……→“to make to bend
under somebody 使向某人弯下腰”→] v. beg humbly 恳求，哀求：to supplicate for pardon 求
饶

▽supplication [supplicat(e);-ion n.] n.恳求，哀求；祈求
supplicatory [supplicat(e);-ory a.] a.恳求的，哀求的
supplicant [sup-;plic;-ant n.] n.恳求者，哀求者

Fold N V Make Bend 折→“To Apply Reply