apply

verb

1. 1

   ask (for something)

   He applied for a leave of absence

   She applied for college

2. 2

   refer (a word or name) to a person or thing

   He applied this racial slur to me!

3. 3

   put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

   use your head!

   we only use Spanish at home

4. 4

   apply to a surface

   She applied paint to the back of the house

   Put on make-up!

5. 5

   give or convey physically

   She gave him First Aid

   I gave him a punch in the nose

6. 6

   ensure observance of laws and rules

   Apply the rules to everyone

7. 7

   avail oneself to

   apply a principle

   practice a religion

8. 8

   apply oneself to

   Please apply yourself to your homework

9. 9

   be pertinent or relevant or applicable

   The same laws apply to you!

   This theory holds for all irrational numbers

10. 10

    be applicable to; as to an analysis

    This theory lends itself well to our new data