apply - Definitions from Dictionary.com

11 results for: apply

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

ap·ply

Audio Help [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.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
apply

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

ap·ply Audio Help   (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.

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.

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"

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
apply1 [əˈplai] verb

(with to) to put (something) on or against something else
Example: to apply ointment to a cut

Arabic:	يَطْلي، يَضَع عَلى
Chinese (Simplified):	把…应用于
Chinese (Traditional):	塗…, 敷…
Czech:	přiložit
Danish:	påføre; påsmøre
Dutch:	aanbrengen
Estonian:	peale panema
Finnish:	sivellä
French:	appliquer (sur)
German:	auftragen
Greek:	βάζω, αλείφω, εναποθέτω
Hungarian:	használ, alkalmaz (vmire)
Icelandic:	bera á; leggja við
Indonesian:	membubuhkan
Italian:	applicare

Japanese:	つける
Korean:	(물건을) 대다, (약을) 바르다
Latvian:	uzlikt; pielikt
Lithuanian:	uždėti, užtepti
Norwegian:	legge, *smøre på
Polish:	przykładać, smarować
Portuguese (Brazil):	aplicar
Portuguese (Portugal):	aplicar
Romanian:	a pune, a aplica (pe)
Russian:	прикладывать
Slovak:	priložiť
Slovenian:	nanesti
Spanish:	aplicar
Swedish:	lägga (stryka, sätta) på, anbringa, applicera
Turkish:	sürmek

apply2 [əˈplai] verb

(with to) to use (something) for some purpose
Example: He applied his wits to planning their escape.

Arabic:	يَسْتَخْدِم، يَسْتَغِّل
Chinese (Simplified):	运用
Chinese (Traditional):	運用
Czech:	využít, použít
Danish:	bruge; anvende
Dutch:	gebruiken
Estonian:	rakendama
Finnish:	käyttää
French:	se servir de
German:	anwenden
Greek:	χρησιμοποιώ
Hungarian:	felhasznál
Icelandic:	beita
Indonesian:	menggunakan
Italian:	usare

Japanese:	用いる
Korean:	(어떤 목적에) …을 쓰다
Latvian:	pielietot; lietot
Lithuanian:	panaudoti
Norwegian:	bruke, anvende
Polish:	używać
Portuguese (Brazil):	usar
Portuguese (Portugal):	usar
Romanian:	a recurge la
Russian:	использовать
Slovak:	využiť, použiť
Slovenian:	uporabiti
Spanish:	emplear
Swedish:	ägna, sätta in
Turkish:	kullanmak

apply3 [əˈplai] verb

(with for) to ask for (something) formally
Example: You could apply (to the manager) for a job.

Arabic:	يُقَدِّم طَلَباً
Chinese (Simplified):	提出申请
Chinese (Traditional):	提出申請
Czech:	(po)žádat o
Danish:	ansøge
Dutch:	solliciteren
Estonian:	taotlema
Finnish:	soveltaa
French:	s'adresser à (pour obtenir)
German:	sich bewerben (um)
Greek:	κάνω αίτηση
Hungarian:	folyamodik, pályázik
Icelandic:	sækja um
Indonesian:	melamar
Italian:	applicare

Japanese:	申し込む
Korean:	지원하다
Latvian:	griezties (pie kāda); lūgt
Lithuanian:	kreiptis, prašyti
Norwegian:	søke
Polish:	zwracać się
Portuguese (Brazil):	requerer, solicitar
Portuguese (Portugal):	requerer
Romanian:	a solicita; a aplica (pentru)
Russian:	обращаться с просьбой
Slovak:	požiadať
Slovenian:	zaprositi za
Spanish:	solicitar
Swedish:	söka, begära
Turkish:	başvurmak

apply4 [əˈplai] verb

(with to) to concern
Example: This rule does not apply to him.

Arabic:	يَنْطَبِق عَلى
Chinese (Simplified):	适用
Chinese (Traditional):	涉及
Czech:	týkat se
Danish:	gælde; angå
Dutch:	betreffen
Estonian:	puudutama
Finnish:	anoa, hakea
French:	s'appliquer à
German:	zutreffen
Greek:	αφορώ
Hungarian:	vkire vonatkozik
Icelandic:	eiga við
Indonesian:	berlaku
Italian:	fare domanda*

Japanese:	当てはまる
Korean:	적합하다; 적용하다
Latvian:	attiekties
Lithuanian:	taikyti, tikti
Norwegian:	gjelde, angå
Polish:	dotyczyć
Portuguese (Brazil):	aplicar-se
Portuguese (Portugal):	aplicar-se
Romanian:	a se aplica (la)
Russian:	относиться
Slovak:	týkať sa
Slovenian:	zadevati
Spanish:	aplicarse
Swedish:	gälla
Turkish:	ilgili olmak

apply5 [əˈplai] verb

to be in force
Example: The rule doesn't apply at weekends.

Arabic:	يُطَبِّق (قانونا)
Chinese (Simplified):	实施
Chinese (Traditional):	實施
Czech:	vztahovat se na, mít platnost
Danish:	gælde
Dutch:	van kracht zijn
Estonian:	kehtima
Finnish:	koskea
French:	être valable
German:	gelten
Greek:	ισχύω
Hungarian:	érvényes
Icelandic:	gilda
Indonesian:	berlaku
Italian:	applicarsi

Japanese:	適用される
Korean:	적용하다, 해당하다
Latvian:	attiekties
Lithuanian:	galioti
Norwegian:	gjelde
Polish:	obowiązywać
Portuguese (Brazil):	valer
Portuguese (Portugal):	aplicar-se
Romanian:	a fi valabil
Russian:	применять
Slovak:	vzťahovať sa na, platiť
Slovenian:	veljati
Spanish:	ser válido, estar en vigor
Swedish:	gälla
Turkish:	geçerli olmak

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

Apply

Ap*pli"a*ble\, a. [See Apply.] Applicable; also, compliant. [Obs.] --Howell.

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

Apply

Ap"pli*ca*ble\, a. [Cf. F. aplicable, fr. L. applicare. See Apply.] Capable of being applied; fit or suitable to be applied; having relevance; as, this observation is applicable to the case under consideration. -- Ap"pli*ca*ble*ness, n. -- Ap"pli*ca*bly, adv.

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