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6 dictionary results for: Apply

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

ap·ply

[uh-plahy] Pronunciation Key verb, -plied, -ply·ing.

–verb (used with object)

1.	to make use of as relevant, suitable, or pertinent: to apply a theory to a problem.

2.	to put to use, esp. for a particular purpose: to apply pressure to open a door.

3.	to bring into action; use; employ: He applied the brakes and skidded to a stop.

4.	to use a label or other designation: Don't apply any such term to me.

5.	to use for or assign to a specific purpose: He applied a portion of his salary each week to savings.

6.	to put into effect: They applied the rules to new members only.

7.	to devote or employ diligently or with close attention: to apply one's mind to a problem; to apply oneself to a task.

8.	to place in contact with; lay or spread on: to apply paint to a wall; to apply a bandage to a wound.

9.	to bring into physical contact with or close proximity to: to apply a match to gunpowder.

10.	to credit to, as an account: to apply $10 to his account at the store.

–verb (used without object)

11.	to be pertinent, suitable, or relevant: The argument applies to the case. The theory doesn't apply.

12.	to make an application or request; ask: to apply for a job; to apply for a raise.

13.	to lay or spread on: The plastic coating is easy to apply on any surface.

14.	to be placed or remain in contact: This paint doesn't apply very easily.

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME ap(p)lien < AF, OF ap(p)lier < L applicāre, equiv. to ap- ap-¹ + plicāre to fold; see ply²

]

—Related forms

ap·pli·a·ble, adjective

ap·pli·a·ble·ness, noun

ap·pli·a·bly, adverb

ap·pli·er, noun

—Synonyms 3. utilize. 5. appropriate, allot, assign, dedicate. 12. petition, sue, entreat.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

ap·ply   (ə-plī') Pronunciation Key
v.   ap·plied, ap·ply·ing, ap·plies

v.   tr.

To bring into nearness or contact with something; put on, upon, or to: applied glue sparingly to the paper.
To put to or adapt for a special use: applies all her money to her mortgage.
To put into action: applied the brakes.
To devote (oneself or one's efforts) to something: applied myself to my studies.

v. intr.

To be pertinent or relevant: a rule that applies to everyone.
To request or seek assistance, employment, or admission: applied for unemployment benefits; will apply to college next year. See Synonyms at resort.

[Middle English applien, from Old French aplier, from Latin applicāre, to affix : ad-, ad- + plicāre, to fold together; see plek- in Indo-European roots.]

ap·pli'a·ble adj., ap·pli'er n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
apply

c.1374, from O.Fr. aplier, from L. applicare "to attach to, to devote oneself to," from ad- "to" + plicare "fold" see ply (v.)). The etymological sense is "to bring things in contact with one another." Applied (opposed to abstract or theoretical) is from 1656.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

apply
verb
1.	put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose; "use your head!"; "we only use Spanish at home"; "I can't use this tool"; "Apply a magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied to many projects"; "How do you utilize this tool?"; "I apply this rule to get good results"; "use the plastic bags to store the food"; "He doesn't know how to use a computer" [syn: use]
2.	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"
3.	ask (for something); "He applied for a leave of absence"; "She applied for college"; "apply for a job"
4.	apply to a surface; "She applied paint to the back of the house"; "Put on make-up!" [syn: put on]
5.	be applicable to; as to an analysis; "This theory lends itself well to our new data" [syn: lend oneself] [ant: defy]
6.	give or convey physically; "She gave him First Aid"; "I gave him a punch in the nose" [syn: give]
7.	avail oneself to; "apply a principle"; "practice a religion"; "use care when going down the stairs"; "use your common sense"; "practice non-violent resistance" [syn: practice]
8.	ensure observance of laws and rules; "Apply the rules to everyone"; [syn: enforce] [ant: exempt]
9.	refer (a word or name) to a person or thing; "He applied this racial slur to me!"
10.	apply oneself to; "Please apply yourself to your homework"

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

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.]

1. 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. --Dryden.

2. 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.

3. 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. --Milton.

4. To fix closely; to engage and employ diligently, or with attention; to attach; to incline.

Apply thine heart unto instruction. --Prov. xxiii. 12.

5. To direct or address. [R.]

Sacred vows . . . applied to grisly Pluto. --Pope.

6. To betake; to address; to refer; -- used reflexively.

I applied myself to him for help. --Johnson.

7. To busy; to keep at work; to ply. [Obs.]

She was skillful in applying his "humors." --Sir P. Sidney.

8. To visit. [Obs.]

And he applied each place so fast. --Chapman.