apply English · revision 3135

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1374, Chaucer|origins=la applicō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /əˈplaɪ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|aplien]], applien,^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|aplier]], aploiier,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la|applicāre|t=to attach, join; to devote oneself]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[m|la|ad-|t=to]] and [[m|la|plicāre|t=to fold]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[ine-pro|*plek-|t=to plait]].^(Etymonline) The double p follows the Latin spelling.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To join to, attach, adhere: about 1374 in Chaucer's translation of Boethius,^(OED 1989) about 1380 in Barnhart.^(Barnhart 1988) The etymological sense is “to bring things into contact”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To bring into close contact is from 1382,^(OED 1989) and “to use or employ for a purpose” from about 1400.^(Etymonline) Of plasters or lotions, “to put on the body”, and of the mind, “to put to work at a task”, it is from the early 15th century.^(Etymonline) To put to a special use is from about 1460,^(OED 1989) and figuratively, “to bring to bear on”, from 1596.^(OED 1989) The sense “to be relevant”, as in ''the rule applies to everyone'', is in the AHD.^(AHD) “To make a formal request, as for a job” is from 1851.^(Etymonline) A by-form ''applicate'' is recorded from the 1530s.^(Etymonline) ''Appliance'' is from the 16th century.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1374 – to join, adhere.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1382 – to put in contact.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1400 – to use for a purpose.^(Etymonline)

+ * early 15th century – to put on the body; to apply oneself.^(Etymonline)

+ * 16th century – ''appliance''.^(Hoad 1986)

+ * 1596 – to bring to bear on.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1851 – to seek a job.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To put on or spread on: ''apply the cream''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To put to use; to use for a purpose.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To be relevant or [[pertinent]]: ''the rule applies to all''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To make a formal request, as for a job or a place.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # To give one's full attention: ''apply yourself''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[applier]]

+ * [[appliable]]

+ * [[appliableness]]

+ * [[appliably]]

+ * [[applicatory]]

+ * [[misapply]]

+ * [[application]]

+ * [[appliance]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[applicant]]

+ * [[ply]]

+ * [[complicate]]

+ * [[implicate]]

+ * [[employ]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}