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. 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. Ibid. (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. Ins., 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. 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.
† 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. Shaks., 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. Ht. 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. 249 (R.). When they apply the common received names of any Language to Ideas, to which the common use of that Language does not apply them.
1877. Lytteil, Landmarks, 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.
1865. Seeley, Ecce Homo, iv. (1866), 30. They [the Jews] sometimes endeavoured to deliver themselves 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 sumwhat 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. Shaks., Macb., III. ii. 30. Let your remembrance apply to Banquo.
1740. Chesterf., Lett., I. lix. 167. The more you apply, the easier you will find your learning.
1774. 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. During his leisure-hours, he applied to English literature.
1848. C. Brontë, Jane 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. Surflet & 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. trans. 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. Shaks., 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’s 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.).
| And he applied each place so fast, that, like a lightning thrown | |
| Out of the shield of Jupiter, in every eye he shone. |
† 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.
1725. Pope, Odyss., X. 636 (J.).
| And sacred vows, and mystic song, apply’d | |
| To grisly Pluto, and his gloomy bride. |
† 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], Acc. 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. Mar. 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.
