application English · revision 2792

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1398, Trevisa|origins=la plicō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌæp.lɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|applicacioun]],^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|aplicacion]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la|applicātiō|t=a joining to, attaching oneself to; the relation of a client to a patron]] (accusative applicātiōnem),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) a noun of action from [[m|la|applicāre|t=to attach to, join, connect]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) the source of [[apply]], from [[m|la|ad|t=to]] and [[m|la|plicāre|t=to fold]],^(Etymonline) from [[ine-pro|*plek-|t=to plait]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The bringing of something to bear on something else: before 1398, in Trevisa's translation of Bartholomew's ''De Proprietatibus Rerum'',^(Barnhart 1988) the early 15th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The bringing of a law, theory or statement to bear on a particular case is from 1493,^(OED 1989) and putting something to a use, a specific use, from 1538.^(OED 1989) The administration of a medicine, or the remedy applied, is from 1601,^(OED 1989) and close attention, sincere hard effort, from about 1600.^(Etymonline) A formal request, as to be hired for a job, is by 1851.^(Etymonline) The computer sense, a program for a specific task, is a shortening of ''application program'' (1969),^(Etymonline) and itself is often shortened to [[app]].^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1398 – the bringing of one thing to bear on another.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1493 – the application of a law or theory.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1538 – a specific use.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1600 – diligence.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1601 – the application of a remedy.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1851 – a request for a job.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1969 – ''application program''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A formal written request, as for a job or a place at a school.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # The act of putting something to use; a particular use: ''the application of new technology''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Relevance: ''a rule of general application''.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # The act of putting something, such as an [[ointment]], on a surface.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Close attention; [[diligence]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(computing)'' A program designed for a particular task; an [[app]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[app]]

+ * [[interapplication]]

+ * [[nonapplication]]

+ * [[overapplication]]

+ * [[preapplication]]

+ * [[reapplication]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[apply]]

+ * [[applicant]]

+ * [[appliance]]

+ * [[complicate]]

+ * [[implicate]]

+ * [[ply]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}