▪ I. apply, v.
(əˈplaɪ)
Forms: 4–6 aplie, 5 aplye; 4–6 applie, 5–6 applye, 6– apply.
[a. OFr. aplie-r:—L. applicā-re, f. ap- = ad- to + plicā-re to fold. Cf. applique, a. later Fr. appliquer.]
I. To put a thing into practical contact with another.
1. a. trans. To bring into, or place in, more or less prolonged contact, or effective proximity; to put close to; e.g. to apply a light, heat, a foot-rule to. Formerly said of bringing together men or things generally; also of fastening or sticking.
| 1382 Wyclif 1 Sam. xiv. 38 Aplieth hidir [1388 Brynge ȝe hidur] alle the corners of the puple. 1388 ― Numb. xvi. 5 He schal applie to hym hooli men. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. v. xxiii. (1495) 130 His [a frogges] tongue is aplied the mouth afore. 1530 Palsgr. 434/1, I applye one thyng to another, Je applicque. Applye them togyther, and than you shall se there is a great difference. 1635 Austin Med. 177 Thomas applyed Christ to himselfe by touching. 1718 Pope Iliad i. 769 Each to his lips applied the nectar'd urn. 1854 Scoffern in Orr's Circ. Sc. Chem. 333 On applying heat to the retort. 1874 Lubbock Orig. & Met. Insects i. 18 The head is applied against the breast. |
b. esp. in Geom. To bring lines or figures into contact extending over some space or area.
| 1660 Barrow Euclid i. Ax. viii, The parts of the one being applyed to the parts of the other. 1695 W. Alingham Geom. Epit. 12 A right line is said to be applied in a Circle, when the ends thereof fall upon the circumference. 1862 Todhunter Euclid i. iv, If the triangle ABC be applied to DEF so that the point A may be on D. |
c. Dressmaking. To lay on as appliqué; to trim or ornament with appliqué.
| 1880 E. Glaister Needlework v. 49 The heraldic figures..are applied in white cloth. 1882 Caulfeild & Saward Dict. Needlework 12/1 The foundation was generally muslin, and the net applied or let in. 1901 Westm. Gaz. 14 Mar. 4/2 Everything is applied with insertions or cut-out flowers and figures of lace. |
† 2. intr. a. To come into contact, join itself, attain to. b. To be in contact, fit closely, adhere, stick to. Obs.
| c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. v. iv. 161 Þe moeuynge of þe resoun of mankynde ne may nat moeuen to, þat is to sein, applien, or ioygnen, to þe simplicite of þe deuyne prescience. c 1430 Lydg. Bochas vii. v. (1554) 169 a, Euery vyce to other doth applye. 1530 Palsgr. 434/2, I applye or cleave..as glue dothe to a tree or thynges that be glued, Je adhers. 1693 Moulen in Phil. Trans. XVII. 624 This Sand did apply to the Magnet. 1793 Smeaton Edystone L. §121 The manner in which it [the building] was to apply to the rock. |
3. trans. To place (a plaster, unguent, or the like) in effective contact with the body; hence, to administer a remedy of any kind.
| 1541 R. Copland Guydon's Quest. Cyrurg., Wherfore are horse leaches applyed? 1579 Langham Gard. Health (1633) 459 Apply the iuyce to any wound. 1590 Shakes. Mids. N. iii. ii. 450 Ile apply [to] your eie gentle louer, remedy. 1747 in Col. Rec. Penn. V. 93 The most speedy Remedy, which..is not in our Power to Apply. 1806–31 A. Knox Rem. (1844) I. 45 Such palliatives as it is fully in his..power to apply. Mod. Apply a mustard plaster to the chest. |
4. fig. and transf. To administer to, to bring (a thing) to bear upon, in order to produce an effect.
| 1596 Spenser F.Q. ii. xii. 32 To Guyon..Their pleasaunt tunes they sweetly thus applyde. 1633 Bp. Hall Hard Texts 5, I..can only apply unto you the outward sign of baptism. 1646 Fuller Wounded Consc. (1841) 289 To apply comfort to him who is not..ready for it. 1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India II. v. v. 502 They applied coercion to the English resident. |
5. To put to a special use or purpose; to devote, appropriate to.
| c 1460 Lydg. in Rel. Ant. I. 157 The best morsell..Hole to thiself alway do not applye. c 1460 Fortescue Abs. & Lim. Mon. (1714) 44 Pondage and Tonnage..owght to be applyyd only to the kepyng of the See. 1667–8 Marvell Corr. 87 Wks. 1872–5 II. 234 The Poll money hath likewise been applyd to the use of the warre. 1793 Smeaton Edystone L. §146 Having procured a carpenter to be applied to that purpose. 1848 Mill Pol. Econ. v. v. §1 The act of directing industry to a particular employment is described by the phrase ‘applying capital’ to the employment. |
6. To put to use; to employ, spend, dispose of.
| 1502 Arnold Chron. (1811) 276 Whether ony executor..applye or appropir ony thing of the goodis of the deed man. 1534 Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) C., [He] hadde applied the moste parte of his lyfe in warre. 1712 Steele Spect. No. 485 ¶2 Knife or a pistol, if he finds stomach to apply them. 1832 H. Martineau Life in Wilds ii. 28 They know how to apply their labour. |
7. To make use of (a word) in special reference to, or to describe or characterize (a thing).
| 1628 Coke On Litt. 121/2 Regardant..is..only applyed to a villeine. 1690 Locke Hum. Und. iii. x. (R.) He that applied the words..to ideas different to those to which the common use applies them. 1877 W. Lytteil Landm. i. i. 17 The word fell is applied to rocky heights, peaks, and cliffs. |
8. To bring (a law, rule, test, principle, etc.) into contact with facts, to bring to bear practically, to put into practical operation. (Cf. to apply a foot-rule to a wall, a test to a mineral, a principle to actions.)
| 1586 Cogan Haven Health (1636) 293 These precepts..must bee applyed particularly to every man's owne estate. 1754 Sherlock Disc. (1759) I. i. 35 The Difficulty is, how to apply this Rule. 1810 Coleridge Friend (1865) 125 The principles which our understandings are to apply. 1859 Ecce Homo iv. 29 By applying practical tests. |
9. To give (to a general, theoretical, or figurative statement) a specific reference to a particular instance; to use it as relative or suitable to.
| c 1375 Wyclif Sel. Wks. 1871 II. 394 Wordis..which semen best þus to be aplied. 1509 Fisher Wks. (1876) 289 Which dyalogue I wolde applye vnto this noble prynces. 1659 Pearson Creed (1839) 325 The apostle repeated the words of the Psalmist, and then applied them. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones (1836) II. xi. ix. 82 To apply all this to the Bœotian writers. 1767 Fordyce Serm. Yng. Wom. II. xi. 169, I leave you to apply the remark. 1853 Robertson Serm. Ser. iii. xvii. 218 Two ways in which this deep truth applies itself. |
10. intr. To have a practical bearing upon, a valid or suitable reference to.
| 1790 Paley Hor. Paul. i. 3 This test applies to every supposition. 1851 Maurice Proph. & Kings 18 This observation applies to Saul's history. 1866 J. Martineau Ess. I. 95 It will apply no less to our own case. |
† 11. trans. To connect with attributively or causally, to refer, ascribe. Obs.
| 1393 Gower Conf. III. 121 Unto this signe [i.e. Virgo] is Augst applied. 1530 Palsgr. 434/2, I applye or assyne the cause of a mater to a persone, Jattribue: I applye the cause herof to the malyce of Saturne. 1709 Pope Ess. Crit. 396 Thus Wit, like Faith, by each man is apply'd To one small sect, and all are damn'd beside. |
† 12. To connect with by association of similarity, compare, liken. Obs.
| 1588 Mellis Briefe Instr. B iij, A marchant may be applied vnto Argus. 1661 Tatham Lond. Tri. in Heath Grocers' Comp. (1869) 482 My woes may aptly be apply'd to theirs That lost their king. |
II. To bring oneself into close practical contact with a pursuit.
13. To give or devote (any faculty) assiduously to some pursuit, or to do something.
| c 1450 Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1866) 49 Of here beaute sum⁓what too say I will applye my wittes all. 1530 Palsgr. 434/2, I applye or gyve my mynde to a thyng, Je madonne. 1535 Coverdale Ps. lxxxix. 12 That we maye applie oure hertes vnto wyssdome. 1673 Ray Journ. Low Countr. 200, I applyed my mind to consider..the physical reason of it. c 1746 Hervey Medit. (1818) 160 Apply your thoughts to religion. Mod. He does not apply his mind to his lessons. |
14. refl. To set oneself closely to a task or to do something.
| a 1400 Cov. Myst. 34, I wyl fforthwith applye me therto. 1477 Earl Rivers (Caxton) Dictes 9 Applying him self to do good dedis. 1594 J. Dickenson Arisbas (1878) 88 He and his accursed companions applied themselves wholly to myrth. 1631 Markham Way to Wealth i. i. ii. (1668) 19 [He] stubbornly applyes himself to disobey you. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 1 ¶3, I applied myself..to my Studies. 1818 Scott Hrt. Midl. 188 She..applied herself to her sister's relief. 1874 Blackie Self-Cult. 70 He could apply himself..to comprehend two such antipodal characters. |
15. intr. in same sense: To attend assiduously (to).
| c 1485 Digby Myst. iii. 1982 My londdes to gyddyn I must a-plye. 1605 Shakes. Macb. iii. ii. 30 Let your remembrance apply to Banquo. 1740 Chesterfield Lett. I. lix. 167 The more you apply, the easier you will find your learning. 1774 S. Hallifax Anal. Rom. Law (1795) Pref. 16 Those who apply to the study of the Common Law. 1817 W. Taylor in Month. Rev. LXXXIII. 492 He applied to English literature. 1848 C. Brontë J. Eyre (1857) 103, I found my pupil..disinclined to apply. |
† 16. trans. To devote one's energy to, to handle vigorously; to wield, practise. a. one's business, or any pursuit or activity. b. an implement or tool. Obs. and replaced by ply.
| ? 1495 Plumpton Corr. 123 That the poor man for dread dare not apply his busines. 1531 Elyot Gov. (1834) 111 Quintius..repaired again to his plough and applied it diligently. 1549 Latimer 7 Serm. bef. Edw. VI (Arb.) 53 The[y] applye the world harde. 1555 Fardle of Facions ii. i. 116 The mooste parte of the Sabeis apply husbandrye. 1577 Harrison England i. ii. i. 18 A notable spurre unto all..to applie their bookes. 1616 Surfl. & Markh. Countr. Farm 391 You shall apply him [the horse] at least three or foure times a day. 1662 Fuller Worthies (1840) III. 402 That he might the more effectually apply his private devotions. 1667 Milton P.L. iv. 264 The birds thir quire apply. |
† 17. To keep at (a person) with (something presented to his attention). Obs.; but see ply.
| 1559 Myrr. Mag., Dk. Suffolk xxii. 1 [They] applyed the Parliament with billes. 1590 Swinburn Testaments 243 [If she] busily applie him with sweete and flattering speeches. 1594 Willobie in Shaks. C. Praise 10 Apply her still with dyvers thinges. |
III. To bend, conform, or adapt to.
18. trans. To bend (the mind or oneself). refl. To comply, conform, be subservient to. Obs.
| 1413 Lydg. Pylgr. Sowle i. xxxvi. 40 As he wylle that shal be done, we shal applye vs fully withoute ayenseynge. 1509 Barclay Ship of Fools (1570) 18 Priamus his minde would not apply To the counsayle of Cassandra. 1533 Anne Boleyn's Fort. in Furnivall MS. Ball. I. 406 Wholy applyinge himselfe to the Kings humour. 1622 Heylin Cosmogr. iii. (1673) 8/1 Applying themselves unto the times, they were alwaies favourable to the strongest. |
† 19. intr. To comply, hearken, consent to. Obs.
| c 1460 Play Sacr. 825 Onto our prayers thow hast applyed. 1494 Fabyan 4 The Scottes that neuer coude apply To kepe theyr Allegeaunce. a 1553 Udall Roister D. iv. v, To bee his wife I ne graunt nor apply. 1553–87 Foxe A. & M. (1596) 88/2 If she would applie to his request, she should be..set at libertie. |
† 20. refl. To adapt or suit oneself to, to suit. Obs.
| 1574 tr. Marlorat's Apoc. 3 God applieth himselfe not a little vnto our affections. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. i. iii. §7 They fail sometimes in applying themselves to particular persons. |
† 21. intr. (as in prec.) Obs.
| c 1450 Lonelich Grail xxxiii. 296 Al manere of delicasye That to ony mannes wyt may applye. Ibid. xxvii. 141 Wenges that lyhtly wolde folde And aplyen to his flyht. 1598 Shakes. Merry W. ii. ii. 247 Would it apply well to the vehemency of your affection that I should, etc. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. ii. xxii. §3 The precedent state or disposition, unto which we do apply. |
IV. To bend or direct a ship, one's course, oneself, one's words to. (Cf. L. applicare (navem), and accost, address.)
† 22. trans. To bring (a ship) to land; to direct or steer (a ship, her course, one's course, etc.). Obs.
| 1576 Sir T. Smith in Wright Lett. Q. Eliz. (1838) II. 33 To whether haven I shall applie my ship. 1596 Spenser F.Q. v. iv. 21 To whom his course he hastily applide. 1613 W. Browne Brit. Past. i. i. (1772) I. 19 To a grove at hand her steps applide. |
† 23. refl. To direct oneself, make one's way (by ship or otherwise) to. Obs.
| c 1450 Lonelich Graal II. 133 To theke contre he wolde don hem aplye. a 1618 Raleigh Observ. (1651) 45 Light things apply themselves upwards. |
† 24. intr. a. To land, arrive. b. To steer, proceed, betake oneself, go. Obs.
| 1382 Wyclif 1 Macc. iii. 42 The oost appliede, or londide, at the coostis of hem. c 1450 Lonelich Grail xxi. 41 This schip to þe rocke gan aplye. 1545 State Papers Hen. VIII, I. 816 With the nexte fludde..we entend tapplye towardes Dover. 1662 R. Mathew Unl. Alch. §89. 146 A Woman taken sick of a violent Fever..presently applied to her Bed. 1677 Moxon Mech. Exerc. (1703) 99 [He] then lets it go again, so that it swiftly applies to its first position. 1759 Martin Nat. Hist. I. 17 In such prodigious shoals do the Pilchards apply to the Cornish Coasts. 1819 J. Wilson Dict. Astrol. 10 Planets preceding apply to those that follow. |
† 25. trans. To go to, visit. Obs. rare.
| 1596 Chapman Iliad xi. 61 (N.) He applied each place so fast. |
† 26. trans. To address or direct (words) to. Obs.
| [Cf. 1596 in 4.] 1667 Milton P.L. x. 172 God at last To Satan, first in sin, his doom apply'd, Though in mysterious terms. a 1744 Pope (J.) Sacred vows and mystic song apply'd To grisly Pluto. |
† 27. refl. to apply oneself: in same sense as next. Obs.
| 1650 T. B. Worcester's Apophth. 22, I spied a young man..I applyed myself to him. 1691 T. H[ale] New Invent. 53 Howard and Company further applyed themselves to..the Admiralty in their humble Memorial. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 117 ¶3 An old Woman applied herself to me for my Charity. 1743 M. Tomlinson Prot. Birthr. 18 Apply ourselves to Persons of Learning and Integrity. |
† 28. intr. with to. a. To appeal to, address (obs.). b. To address oneself for information or aid, to have recourse, make application to. (Also pass. e.g. I have been applied to for a certificate.)
| ? c 1642 Rogers (J.) God knows every faculty and passion, and in what manner they can be most successfully applied to. a 1680 Butler Rem. (1759) II. 13 Those who apply to Men's Fancies and Humours. 1759 Robertson Hist. Scotl. I. ii. 121 The French king..applied to the parliament of Scotland. 1769 Junius Lett. xxxv. 163 He applied only to their honour, as gentlemen, for protection. 1774 J. Bryant Mythol. I. 48 His temples were applied to as oracular. 1793 Smeaton Edystone L. §262 On applying to the bridle..we found that the chain was dragging upon the rocks. 1802 M. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I. xii. 98 A friend..to whom she resolved to apply in her distress. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 81 Exiles, who had come..to apply for succour. |
▪ II. † aˈpply, n. Obs.
[f. prec. vb.]
1. Ply, trim, state.
| a 1600 Sir Egeir 43 (Jam.) They found him in a good apply Both hay and corn and bread him by. |
2. Application.
| 1657 S. Colvil Whigs Supplic. (1751) 71 For the apply will be to Sharp. 1681 Lond. Gaz. mdcliv/3 We envy much their more early Apply. |