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Apply

//əˈplaɪ// adj, verb

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Alternative spelling of appley. alt-of, alternative
Verb
  1. 1
    To lay or place; to put (one thing to another) transitive

    "to apply cream to a rash"

  2. 2
    ask (for something) wordnet
  3. 3
    To put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case transitive

    "to apply funds to the repayment of a debt"

  4. 4
    refer (a word or name) to a person or thing wordnet
  5. 5
    To make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant. transitive

    "We need to apply the skills we’ve learned to solve this problem."

Show 15 more definitions
  1. 6
    put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose wordnet
  2. 7
    To put closely; to join; to engage and employ diligently or with attention. transitive

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

  3. 8
    coat, cover or smear a surface with wordnet
  4. 9
    To work diligently and attentively. reflexive

    "My parents say I could do well in school if I would apply myself."

  5. 10
    give or convey physically wordnet
  6. 11
    To address oneself; to refer. reflexive, transitive, usually

    "sacred vows […] applied to grisly Pluto"

  7. 12
    ensure observance of laws and rules wordnet
  8. 13
    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). intransitive

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

  9. 14
    avail oneself to wordnet
  10. 15
    To pertain or be relevant. intransitive

    "That rule only applies to foreigners."

  11. 16
    apply oneself to wordnet
  12. 17
    To busy; to keep at work; to ply. obsolete

    "She was no less skillful in applying his humours."

  13. 18
    be pertinent or relevant or applicable wordnet
  14. 19
    To visit. obsolete

    "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."

  15. 20
    be applicable to; as to an analysis wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

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.

Etymology 2

From apple + -y.

See also for "apply"

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