apply
Language: English
Part of speech: verb
Pronunciation: ipa: /əˈplaɪ/
ipa: [əˈplaɪ]
ipa: [əˈplɑj]
ipa: [əˈplaɪ]
ipa: [əˈpləj]
ipa: [əˈplɑɪ]
rhymes: -aɪ
Forms: form: applies
form: applying
form: applied
form: applied
Etymology: 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.
Senses: examples: text: to apply cream to a rash
text: He said, and to the sword his throat applied.
ref: 1697, John Dryden, Translation of Virgil's Aeneid:
glosses: To lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
examples: text: to apply funds to the repayment of a debt
synonyms: appropriate
devote
use
glosses: To put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case
examples: text: We need to apply the skills we’ve learned to solve this problem.
text: Yet God at last To Satan, first in sin, his doom applied.
ref: 1667, John Milton, “Book X”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
glosses: To make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant.
examples: text: Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
ref: 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Proverbs 23:12:
synonyms: attach
incline
glosses: To put closely; to join; to engage and employ diligently or with attention.
examples: text: My parents say I could do well in school if I would apply myself.
glosses: To work diligently and attentively.
examples: text: sacred vows […] applied to grisly Pluto
ref: 1725, Homer, “Book X”, in [Alexander Pope], transl., The Odyssey of Homer. […], volume III, London: […] Bernard Lintot, →OCLC:
text: 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.
ref: 1854 August 9, Henry D[avid] Thoreau, “Economy”, in Walden; or, Life in the Woods, Boston, Mass.: Ticknor and Fields, →OCLC:
glosses: To address oneself; to refer.
examples: text: I recently applied to the tavern for a job as a bartender.
text: Most of the colleges she applied to were ones she thought she had a good chance of getting into.
text: Many of them don't know it, but almost a third of the inmates are eligible to apply for parole or work-release programs.
text: Southern Pacific Communications Co. (SP) has applied to the FCC for approval of the first coast-to-coast digital data transmission service.
ref: 1974 August 7, Ronald A. Frank, “SP Seeks Approval for Coast-to-Coast Digital Net”, in Computerworld, page 15:
glosses: To submit oneself as a candidate (with the adposition "to" or "at" designating the recipient of the submission, and the adposition "for" designating the position).
examples: text: That rule only applies to foreigners.
synonyms: extend
glosses: To pertain or be relevant.
examples: text: She was no less skillful in applying his humours.
ref: a. 1587, Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “(please specify the folio)”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC:
english: The New Arcadia
translation: The New Arcadia
glosses: To busy; to keep at work; to ply.
examples: text: 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.
ref: [1611?], Homer, “(please specify |book=I to XXIV)”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., The Iliads of Homer Prince of Poets. […], London: […] Nathaniell Butter, →OCLC; republished as The Iliads of Homer, Prince of Poets, […], new edition, volume (please specify the book number), London: Charles Knight and Co., […], 1843, →OCLC:
glosses: To visit.
Derived terms: appliable
appliance
applicable
applicant
applicate
application
applicatory
applier
appliment
applyingly
apply oneself
coapply
deapply
disapply
misappliance
misapply
nonapplying
overapply
preapply
reapply
unapply
underapply