apply

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To lay or place

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

   • to apply cream to a rash
   • He said, and to the sword his throat applied.
2. 2

   To put to use

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

   • to apply funds to the repayment of a debt
3. 3

   To make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant.

   • 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.
4. ›+ 8 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To put closely

      To put closely; to join; to engage and employ diligently or with attention.

      • Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
   2. 5

      To work diligently and attentively.

      • My parents say I could do well in school if I would apply myself.
   3. 6

      To address oneself

      To address oneself; to refer.

      • 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.
   4. 7

      To submit oneself as a candidate (with the adposition "to" or "at" designating the…

      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).

      • 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.
   5. 8

      To pertain or be relevant.

      • That rule only applies to foreigners.
   6. 9

      To busy

      To busy; to keep at work; to ply.

      • She was no less skillful in applying his humours.
   7. 10

      To visit.

      • 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.
   8. 11

      Alternative spelling of appley.

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