2 N‑SING [with poss] If you describe an event or a time as someone's apotheosis , you mean that it was the high point in their career or their life. [FORMAL ]
app /æ p/ (apps )
1 N‑COUNT An app is a computer program that is written and designed for a specific purpose. [COMPUTING ] □ …a basic picture-editing app.
2 N‑COUNT An app is a computer program that is designed for use on a mobile digital device. [COMPUTING ] □ The company recently launched a free phone app that translates conversations while you speak.
ap|pal /əpɔː l/ (appals , appalling , appalled ) in AM, use appall VERB If something appals you, it disgusts you because it seems so bad or unpleasant. □ [V n] His ignorance appals me. [Also V ]
ap|palled /əpɔː ld/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are appalled by something, you are shocked or disgusted because it is so bad or unpleasant. □ We are appalled that such items are still on sale.
ap|pal|ling /əpɔː l I ŋ/
1 ADJ Something that is appalling is so bad or unpleasant that it shocks you. □ They have been living under the most appalling conditions for two months. ● ap|pal|ling|ly ADV □ He says that he understands why they behaved so appallingly.
2 ADJ You can use appalling to emphasize that something is very great or severe. [EMPHASIS ] □ I developed an appalling headache. ● ap|pal|ling|ly ADV □ It's been an appallingly busy morning.
3 → see also appal
ap|pa|rat|chik /æ pəræ tʃ I k/ (apparatchiks ) N‑COUNT An apparatchik is someone who works for a government or a political party and who obeys orders. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
ap|pa|rat|us /æ pəre I təs, -ræ t-/ (apparatuses )
1 N‑VAR The apparatus of an organization or system is its structure and method of operation. □ For many years, the country had been buried under the apparatus of the regime.
2 N‑VAR Apparatus is the equipment, such as tools and machines, which is used to do a particular job or activity. □ One of the boys had to be rescued by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.
ap|par|el /əpæ rəl/ N‑UNCOUNT Apparel means clothes, especially formal clothes worn on an important occasion. [mainly AM , FORMAL ]
ap|par|ent ◆◇◇ /əpæ rənt/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] An apparent situation, quality, or feeling seems to exist, although you cannot be certain that it does exist. □ I was a bit depressed by our apparent lack of progress.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If something is apparent to you, it is clear and obvious to you. □ It has been apparent that in other areas standards have held up well.
3 PHRASE If you say that something happens for no apparent reason , you cannot understand why it happens. □ The person may become dizzy for no apparent reason.
ap|par|ent|ly ◆◆◇ /əpæ rəntli/
1 ADV [ADV before v] You use apparently to indicate that the information you are giving is something that you have heard, but you are not certain that it is true. [VAGUENESS ] □ Oil prices fell this week, apparently because of over-production.
2 ADV [ADV before v] You use apparently to refer to something that seems to be true, although you are not sure whether it is or not. □ The recent deterioration has been caused by an apparently endless recession. SYNONYMS apparently ADV 2
seemingly: He is a man with seemingly not an ounce of malice in him.
outwardly: Outwardly this looked like the beginning of a terrific programme.
ostensibly: He gave an interview ostensibly to talk about the economy.
ap|pa|ri|tion /æ pər I ʃ ə n/ (apparitions ) N‑COUNT An apparition is someone you see or think you see but who is not really there as a physical being. [FORMAL ]
ap|peal ◆◆◇ /əpiː l/ (appeals , appealing , appealed )
1 VERB If you appeal to someone to do something, you make a serious and urgent request to them. □ [V + to/for ] The Prime Minister appealed to young people to use their vote. □ [V + to ] He will appeal to the state for an extension of unemployment benefits. □ [V + for ] The United Nations has appealed for help from the international community.
2 N‑COUNT [N to-inf] An appeal is a serious and urgent request. □ [+ to ] Romania's government issued a last-minute appeal to him to call off his trip.
3 N‑COUNT [oft N to-inf] An appeal is an attempt to raise money for a charity or for a good cause. □ …an appeal to save a library containing priceless manuscripts.
4 VERB If you appeal to someone in authority against a decision, you formally ask them to change it. In British English, you appeal against something. In American English, you appeal something. □ [V + against ] He said they would appeal against the decision. □ [V n] We intend to appeal the verdict. □ [V + to ] Maguire has appealed to the Supreme Court to stop her extradition.
5 N‑VAR An appeal is a formal request for a decision to be changed. □ [+ against ] Heath's appeal against the sentence was later successful. □ The jury agreed with her, but she lost the case on appeal.
6 → see also Court of Appeal
7 VERB If something appeals to you, you find it attractive or interesting. □ [V + to ] On the other hand, the idea appealed to him. [Also V ]
8 N‑UNCOUNT The appeal of something is a quality that it has which people find attractive or interesting. □ Its new title was meant to give the party greater public appeal.