Main Entry: im·ply

Pronunciation: \im-ˈplī\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): im·plied; im·ply·ing

Etymology: Middle English emplien, from Anglo-French emplier to entangle — more at employ

Date: 14th century

1 obsolete : enfold, entwine
2 : to involve or indicate by inference, association, or necessary consequence rather than by direct statement <rights imply obligations>
3 : to contain potentially
4 : to express indirectly <his silence implied consent>

synonyms see suggest

usage see infer