apply
     v 1: put into service; make work or employ (something) for a
          particular purpose or for its inherent or natural
          purpose; "use your head!"; "we only use Spanish at
          home"; "I can't make use of this tool"; "Apply a
          magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied to many
          projects"; "How do you utilize this tool?"; "I apply
          this rule to get good results"; "use the plastic bags to
          store the food"; "He doesn't know how to use a computer"
          [syn: {use}, {utilize}, {utilise}, {employ}]
     2: be pertinent or relevant or applicable; "The same laws apply
        to you!"; "This theory holds for all irrational numbers";
        "The same rules go for everyone" [syn: {hold}, {go for}]
     3: ask (for something); "He applied for a leave of absence";
        "She applied for college"; "apply for a job"
     4: apply to a surface; "She applied paint to the back of the
        house"; "Put on make-up!" [syn: {put on}]
     5: be applicable to; as to an analysis; "This theory lends
        itself well to our new data" [syn: {lend oneself}] [ant: {defy}]
     6: give or convey physically; "She gave him First Aid"; "I gave
        him a punch in the nose" [syn: {give}]
     7: avail oneself to; "apply a principle"; "practice a
        religion"; "use care when going down the stairs"; "use
        your common sense"; "practice non-violent resistance"
        [syn: {practice}, {use}]
     8: ensure observance of laws and rules; "Apply the rules to
        everyone"; [syn: {enforce}, {implement}] [ant: {exempt}]
     9: refer (a word or name) to a person or thing; "He applied
        this racial slur to me!"
     10: apply oneself to; "Please apply yourself to your homework"
     [also: {applied}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0