a. [f. L. applicāre to apply + -ABLE: cf. It. applicabile (Florio, 1611) and mod.Fr. applicable. It has taken the place of the earlier APPLIABLE in all its senses.]
† 1. Well-disposed, pliable; = APPLIABLE 1. Obs.
1563. Homilies, II. ii. II. (1859), 208. Leo the third … having the king of the Francons … very applicable to his mind.
a. 1674. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., I. I. 6. The habit and temper of men’s minds being … very applicable to the Publick ends.
2. Capable of being applied; having reference. (See APPLY v. 1–11.)
1660. R. Coke, Just. Vind., 23. Art … as it is applicable to some material subject cannot be taught without experience.
1678. Hobbes, Decam. Phys., viii. 97. Your Argument ought to be applicable to the weighing of Bodies in a pair of Scales.
1825. McCulloch, Pol. Econ., II. § 2. 115. That portion of the produce of industry extrinsic to man, which may be made applicable to his support.
3. Fit or suitable for its purpose, appropriate.
1835. I. Taylor, Spir. Despot., iv. 117. The applicable quality of the worship and polity which he consigned to his followers.
1851. Art Jrnl. Catal. Gt. Exhib., 76/2. The few water-leaves which adorn it … being applicable and unobtrusive.
