handle vs ply

handle

verb
  • To manage, use, or wield with the hands. 

  • To receive and transfer; to have pass through one's hands; hence, to buy and sell. 

  • To treat, to deal with (in a specified way). 

  • To put up with; to endure (and continue to function). 

  • To illegally touch the ball with the hand or arm; to commit handball. 

  • To use the hands. 

  • To accustom to the hand; to take care of with the hands. 

  • To deal with (a subject, argument, topic, or theme) in speaking, in writing, or in art. 

  • To behave in a particular way when handled (managed, controlled, directed). 

  • To be concerned with; to be an expert in. 

  • To manage, control, or direct. 

  • To touch; to feel or hold with the hand(s). 

noun
  • The part of an object which is (designed to be) held in the hand when used or moved. 

  • A reference to an object or structure that can be stored in a variable. 

  • A half-gallon (1.75-liter) bottle of alcohol. 

  • The smooth, irreducible subcurve of a comb which connects to each of the other components in exactly one point. 

  • The gross amount of wagering within a given period of time or for a given event at one of more establishments. 

  • An instrument for effecting a purpose (either literally or figuratively); a tool, or an opportunity or pretext. 

  • A topological space homeomorphic to a ball but viewed as a product of two lower-dimensional balls. 

  • A 10 fluid ounce (285 mL) glass of beer. 

  • A point, an extremity of land. 

  • The tactile qualities of a fabric, e.g., softness, firmness, elasticity, fineness, resilience, and other qualities perceived by touch. 

  • A name, nickname or pseudonym. 

  • A title attached to one's name, such as Doctor or Colonel. 

ply

verb
  • To wield or use (a tool, a weapon, etc.) steadily or vigorously. 

  • To work at (something) diligently. 

  • To press upon; to urge persistently. 

  • To persist in offering something to, especially for the purpose of inducement or persuasion. 

  • To travel over (a route) regularly. 

  • To bend, to flex; to be bent by something, to give way or yield (to a force, etc.). 

noun
  • In two-player sequential games, a "half-turn" or a move made by one of the players. 

  • A layer of material. 

  • A bent; a direction. 

  • A strand that, twisted together with other strands, makes up rope or yarn. 

  • A condition, a state. 

How often have the words handle and ply occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )