ap·ply
Audio Help [uh-plahy] Pronunciation Key verb, -plied, -ply·ing.
—Related forms
Audio Help [uh-plahy] Pronunciation Key verb, -plied, -ply·ing. –verb (used with object)
–verb (used without 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. |
| 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. |
apply
To learn more about apply visit Britannica.com
| © 2008 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. |
| ap·ply
Audio Help (ə-plī') Pronunciation Key
v. ap·plied, ap·ply·ing, ap·plies v. tr.
v. intr.
[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. |
| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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.
| Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper |
| 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" |
| WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University. |
apply1 [əˈplai] verb
(with to) to put (something) on or against something else
Example: to apply ointment to a cut
apply2 [əˈplai] verbExample: to apply ointment to a cut
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(with to) to use (something) for some purpose
Example: He applied his wits to planning their escape.
apply3 [əˈplai] verbExample: He applied his wits to planning their escape.
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(with for) to ask for (something) formally
Example: You could apply (to the manager) for a job.
apply4 [əˈplai] verbExample: You could apply (to the manager) for a job.
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(with to) to concern
Example: This rule does not apply to him.
apply5 [əˈplai] verbExample: This rule does not apply to him.
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to be in force
Example: The rule doesn't apply at weekends.
See also: appliance, apply oneself/one's mind, applicable, applicant, applicationExample: The rule doesn't apply at weekends.
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| Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary, © 2000-2006 K Dictionaries Ltd. |
Apply
Ap*pli"a*ble\, a. [See Apply.] Applicable; also, compliant. [Obs.] --Howell.| Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
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.| Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
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