Definition of apply - WordReference.com Dictionary

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apply:

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Adapted From: WordNet 2.0 Copyright 2003 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

apply
A	verb
	1	apply
			ask (for something); "He applied for a leave of absence"; "She applied for college"; "apply for a job"
		Category Tree: move; displace ╚transfer ╚convey; transmit; communicate ╚communicate; pass on; pass; put across ╚request; bespeak; call for; quest ╚apply ╚put in; submit
	2	apply
			refer (a word or name) to a person or thing; "He applied this racial slur to me!"
		Category Tree: act; move ╚interact ╚communicate; intercommunicate ╚convey; impart ╚mean; intend ╚denote; refer ╚apply
	3	use, utilize, utilise, apply, employ
			put into service; make work or employ (something) for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose; "use your head!"; "we only use Spanish at home"; "I can't make use of this tool"; "Apply a magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied

	4	put on, apply
			apply to a surface; "She applied paint to the back of the house"; "Put on make-up!"
		Category Tree: cover ╚put on, apply ╚slap on; clap on; slam on ╚sponge on ╚putty ╚cold-cream ╚cream ╚dress ╚daub ╚dab; swab; swob
	5	give, apply
			give or convey physically; "She gave him First Aid"; "I gave him a punch in the nose"
		Category Tree: transfer ╚give ╚distribute; administer; mete out; deal; parcel out; lot; dispense; shell out; deal out; dish out; allot; dole out ╚give, apply ╚administer ╚tread
	6	enforce, implement, apply
			ensure observance of laws and rules; "Apply the rules to everyone";
		Category Tree: induce; stimulate; cause; have; get; make ╚compel; oblige; obligate ╚enforce, implement, apply ╚execute ╚run; execute
	7	practice, apply, use
			avail oneself to; "apply a principle"; "practice a religion"; "use care when going down the stairs"; "use your common sense"; "practice non-violent resistance"

	8	apply
			apply oneself to; "Please apply yourself to your homework"
		Category Tree: use; utilize; utilise; apply; employ ╚give; dedicate; consecrate; commit; devote ╚apply
	9	apply, hold, go for
			be pertinent or relevant or applicable; "The same laws apply to you!"; "This theory holds for all irrational numbers"; "The same rules go for everyone"
		Category Tree: refer; pertain; relate; concern; come to; bear on; touch; touch on ╚apply, hold, go for
	10	lend oneself, apply
			be applicable to; as to an analysis; "This theory lends itself well to our new data"

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