tr.v. sup·plant·ed, sup·plant·ing, sup·plants 1. To take the place of or substitute for (another): Computers have largely supplanted typewriters. See Synonyms at replace. 2. To usurp the place of, especially through intrigue or underhanded tactics: In the Bible, Jacob supplants his older brother Esau. [Middle English supplanten, to trip up, cause to stumble, from Old French supplanter, from Latin supplantāre, to trip up : sub-, sub- + planta, sole of the foot; see plat- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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