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Synonyms
apply - 6 dictionary results
ap⋅ply
[uh-plahy] 
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 ply 2
1350–1400; ME ap(p)lien < AF, OF ap(p)lier < L applicāre, equiv. to ap- ap- 1 + plicāre to fold; see ply 2
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.
3. utilize. 5. appropriate, allot, assign, dedicate. 12. petition, sue, entreat.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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|
Link To apply
| ap·ply (ə-plī') v. ap·plied, ap·ply·ing, ap·plies v. tr.
[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 © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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. Applied chemistry. See under Chemistry. Applied mathematics. See under Mathematics.Apply
Ap*ply"\, v. i. 1. To suit; to agree; to have some connection, agreement, or analogy; as, this argument applies well to the case. 2. To make request; to have recourse with a view to gain something; to make application. (to); to solicit; as, to apply to a friend for information. 3. To ply; to move. [R.] I heard the sound of an oar applying swiftly through the water. --T. Moore. 4. To apply or address one's self; to give application; to attend closely (to).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : apply
Spanish:
aplicar,
German:
auftragen,
Japanese:
つける
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
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Main Entry: ap·ply
Pronunciation: &-'plI
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: ap·plied; ap·ply·ing
: to lay or spread on <apply antiseptic to a cut>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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