applicable English · revision 7519

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1548|origins=la applico}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /əˈplɪk.ə.bəl/, /ˈæp.lɪ kə.bəl/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from Old French applicable or Medieval Latin [[m|la-med|applicabilis]],^(NODE 1998)^(SOED 2002) from [[m|la|applico|alt=applicāre|t=to attach to, devote to]] (see [[apply]]) and [[-able]];^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) MWU traces it through French appliquer.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Well-disposed, pliable, compliant: 1548 in MWU, 1563 in the OED, the 1560s in Etymonline; now obsolete.^(MWU 2024)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Capable of being applied, having reference, is from 1660 (the 1650s),^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and fit or suitable for its purpose from 1835;^(OED 1989) Hoad dates the sense pertinent to the 19th century.^(Hoad 1986) It superseded the earlier appliable (14th–15th century) in all senses.^(Hoad 1986)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1548 – compliant (obsolete).^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1660 – capable of being applied.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1835 – suitable.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Able to be [[apply|alt=applied]]; [[relevant]] or appropriate.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[applicability]]

+ * [[applicably]]

+ * [[inapplicable]]

+ * [[unapplicable]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[apply]]

+ * [[appliance]]

+ * [[application]]

+ * [[applicant]]

+ * [[ply]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}