Word definition: apply

Etimology


From Middle English aplien, applien, from Old French applier, (French appliquer), from Latin applicō (“join, fix, or attach to”); from ad + plicō (“fold, twist together”). See applicant, ply.

verb


apply (third-person singular simple present applies, present participle applying, simple past and past participle applied)

(transitive) To lay or place; to put (one thing to another)

(transitive) To put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case

(transitive) To make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relative

(transitive) To put closely; to join; to engage and employ diligently, or with attention

(reflexive) To work diligently and attentively.

(transitive) To address; to refer; generally used reflexively.

(intransitive) To submit oneself as a candidate (with the adposition "to" designating the recipient of the submission, and the adposition "for" designating the position).

(intransitive) To pertain or be relevant to a specified individual or group.

(obsolete) To busy; to keep at work; to ply.

(obsolete) To visit.

Examples


to apply cream to a rash

He said, and to the sword his throat applied.

Synonyms: appropriate, devote, use

to apply funds to the repayment of a debt

We need to apply the skills we've learned to solve this problem

Yet God at last To Satan, first in sin, his doom applied.

Synonyms: attach, incline

Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.

sacred vows […] applied to grisly Pluto

On applying to the assessors, I am surprised to learn that they cannot at once name a dozen in the town who own their farms free and clear.

I recently applied to the tavern for a job as a bartender.

Most of the colleges she applied to were ones she thought she had a good chance of getting into.

Many of them don't know it, but almost a third of the inmates are eligible to apply for parole or work-release programs.

Southern Pacific Communications Co. has applied to the FCC for approval of the first coast-to-coast digital data transmission service.

That rule only applies to foreigners.

She was no less skillful in applying his humours.

His armour was so clear, And he applied each place so fast, that like a lightning thrown Out of the shield of Jupiter, in every eye he shone.The spelling has been modernized.

The spelling has been modernized.

Etimology


apple +‎ -y.

adjective


apply (comparative more apply, superlative most apply)

Alternative spelling of appley

Data provided by Wiktionary