Etymology : Middle English applien, from Middle French aplier, from Latin applicare, from ad- + plicare to fold; more at PLY
Pronunciation : &-plI
Function : verb
Date : 14th century
1. make a request; implement; put to use; enforce; spread on a surface (such as paint, ointment, etc.); refer; (Medicine) place, lay (e.g.: "apply the hand to the chest"). apply\ap*ply"\ , v. t. [imp. & p. p. applied ; p. pr. & vb. n. applying.] [of. aplier, f. appliquer, fr. l. applicare to join, fix, or attach to; ad + plicare to fold, to twist together. see:
applicant, ply.].
2. to lay or place; to put or adjust (one thing to another); -- with to; as, to apply the hand to the breast; to apply medicaments to a diseased part of the body. he said, and the sword his throat applied.
3. to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case; to appropriate; to devote; as, to apply money to the payment of a debt.
4. to make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relative; as, to apply the testimony to the case; to apply an epithet to a person. yet god at last to satan, first in sin, his doom applied.
5. to fix closely; to engage and employ diligently, or with attention; to attach; to incline. apply thine heart unto instruction. xxiii.
6. 5. to direct or address. [r.] sacred vows applied to grisly pluto.
7. to betake; to address; to refer; -- used reflexively. i applied myself to him for help.
8. to busy; to keep at work; to ply. [obs.] she was skillful in applying his "humors." sidney.
9. to visit. [obs.] and he applied each place so fast.
10. To lay or place; to put or adjust ; with to; as, to apply the hand to the breast; to apply medicaments to a diseased part of the body.
11. To put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case; to appropriate; to devote; as, to apply money to the payment of a debt.
12. To make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relative; as, to apply the testimony to the case; to apply an epithet to a person.
13. To fix closely; to engage and employ diligently, or with attention; to attach; to incline.
14. To direct or address.
15. To betake; to address; to refer; used reflexively.
16. To busy; to keep at work; to ply.
17. To visit.
18. To suit; to agree; to have some connection, agreement, or analogy; as, this argument applies well to the case.
19. To make request; to have recourse with a view to gain something; to make application. ; to solicit; as, to apply to a friend for information.
20. To ply; to move.
21. To apply or address one's self; to give application; to attend closely . ask ; "He applied for a leave of absence"; "She applied for college"; "apply for a job" refer to a person or thing; "He applied this racial slur to me!" apply oneself to; "Please apply yourself to your homework" be pertinent or relevant or applicable; "The same laws apply to you!"; "This theory holds for all irrational numbers"; "The same rules go for everyone".
22. 1. If you apply for something such as a job or membership of an organization, you write a letter or fill in a form in order to ask formally for it. I am continuing to apply for jobs They may apply to join the organization.
23. If you apply yourself to something or apply your mind to something, you concentrate hard on doing it or on thinking about it. Faulks has applied himself to this task with considerable energy In spare moments he applied his mind to how rockets could be used to make money.
24. If something such as a rule or a remark applies to a person or in a situation, it is relevant to the person or the situation. The convention does not apply to us The rule applies where a person owns stock in a corporation.
25. If you apply something such as a rule, system, or skill, you use it in a situation or activity. The Government appears to be applying the same principle His project is concerned with applying the technology to practical business problems.
26. A name that is applied to someone or something is used to refer to them. Connell said a new medical term should be applied to Berg's actions. He calls it `medicide'.
27. If you apply something to a surface, you put it on or rub it into the surface. The right thing would be to apply direct pressure to the wound Applying the dye can be messy, particularly on long hair. see also:
applied.