apply

1. (transitive) To lay or place; to put (one thing to another)Examples: "to apply cream to a rash"; "He said, and to the sword his throat applied."transitive

2. (transitive) To put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular caseExamples: "to apply funds to the repayment of a debt"Synonyms: appropriate, devote, usetransitive

3. (transitive) To make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant.Examples: "We need to apply the skills we’ve learned to solve this problem."; "Yet God at last To Satan, first in sin, his doom applied."transitive

4. (transitive) To put closely; to join; to engage and employ diligently or with attention.Examples: "Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge."Synonyms: attach, inclinetransitive

5. (reflexive) To work diligently and attentively.Examples: "My parents say I could do well in school if I would apply myself."reflexive

6. (transitive, usually reflexive) To address oneself; to refer.Examples: "sacred vows […] applied to grisly Pluto"; "On applying to the assessors, I am surprised to learn that they cannot at once name a dozen in the town who own their farms free and clear."reflexivetransitiveusually