3 VERB [no cont] If something such as a rule or a remark applies to a person or in a situation, it is relevant to the person or the situation. □ [V + to ] The convention does not apply to us. □ [V ] The rule applies where a person owns stock in a corporation.
4 VERB If you apply something such as a rule, system, or skill, you use it in a situation or activity. □ [V n] The Government appears to be applying the same principle. □ [V n + to ] His project is concerned with applying the technology to practical business problems.
5 VERB A name that is applied to someone or something is used to refer to them. □ [be V -ed + to ] Increasingly the term is applied to people succumbing to stress in a variety of people-orientated service industries.
6 VERB If you apply something to a surface, you put it on or rub it into the surface. □ [V n + to ] The right thing would be to apply direct pressure to the wound. □ [V n] Applying the dye can be messy, particularly on long hair.
7 → see also applied COLLOCATIONS apply VERB
4
apply + noun : criterion, method, principle, rule, technique
noun + apply : conditions, principles, restrictions, rules; charges, costs, discount, terms
6
apply + noun : dye, fertiliser, make-up, paint, sunscreen; coat, layer; force, pressure SYNONYMS apply VERB 1
request: Mr Dennis said he had requested access to a telephone.
solicit: He's already solicited their support on health care reform.
appeaclass="underline" The United Nations has appealed for help from the international community.
ap|point ◆◇◇ /əpɔ I nt/ (appoints , appointing , appointed )
1 VERB If you appoint someone to a job or official position, you formally choose them for it. □ [V n + to ] It made sense to appoint a banker to this job. □ [V n to-inf] The commission appointed a special investigator to conduct its own inquiry. □ [V n + as ] The Prime Minister has appointed a civilian as defence minister. □ [be V -ed n] She was appointed a U.S. delegate to the United Nations. [Also V n n, V n]
2 → see also appointed
ap|point|ed /əpɔ I nt I d/ ADJ [ADJ n] If something happens at the appointed time, it happens at the time that was decided in advance. [FORMAL ]
-appointed /-əpɔ I nt I d/
1 COMB -appointed combines with adverbs to form adjectives such as well-appointed that describe a building or room that is equipped or furnished in the way that is mentioned. [WRITTEN ] □ Sloan looked round the well-appointed kitchen.
2 → see also self-appointed
ap|poin|tee /əpɔ I ntiː / (appointees ) N‑COUNT An appointee is someone who has been chosen for a particular job or position of responsibility. [FORMAL ] □ …Becket, a recent appointee to the Supreme Court.
ap|point|ment ◆◇◇ /əpɔ I ntmənt/ (appointments )
1 N‑VAR [usu with poss] The appointment of a person to a particular job is the choice of that person to do it. □ …his appointment as foreign minister in 1985.
2 N‑COUNT An appointment is a job or position of responsibility. □ Mr Fay is to take up an appointment as a researcher with the Royal Society.
3 N‑COUNT [N to-inf] If you have an appointment with someone, you have arranged to see them at a particular time, usually in connection with their work or for a serious purpose. □ [+ with ] She has an appointment with her accountant. □ …a dental appointment.
4 PHRASE If something can be done by appointment , people can arrange in advance to do it at a particular time. □ Viewing is by appointment only.
ap|por|tion /əpɔː r ʃ ə n/ (apportions , apportioning , apportioned ) VERB When you apportion something such as blame, you decide how much of it different people deserve or should be given. [FORMAL ] □ [V n prep] The experts are even-handed in apportioning blame among E.U. governments. [Also V n]
ap|po|site /æ pəz I t/ ADJ Something that is apposite is suitable for or appropriate to what is happening or being discussed. [FORMAL ] □ Recent events have made his central theme even more apposite.
ap|po|si|tion /æ pəz I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu in N ] If two noun groups referring to the same person or thing are in apposition , one is placed immediately after the other, with no conjunction joining them, as in 'Her father, Nigel, left home three months ago.'
ap|prais|al /əpre I z ə l/ (appraisals )
1 N‑VAR If you make an appraisal of something, you consider it carefully and form an opinion about it. □ [+ of ] What is needed in such cases is a calm appraisal of the situation.
2 N‑VAR Appraisal is the official or formal assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of someone or something. Appraisal often involves observation or some kind of testing. □ Staff problems should be addressed through training and appraisals. [Also + of ]
ap|praise /əpre I z/ (appraises , appraising , appraised ) VERB If you appraise something or someone, you consider them carefully and form an opinion about them. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] This prompted many employers to appraise their selection and recruitment policies.
ap|prais|er /əpre I zə r / (appraisers ) N‑COUNT An appraiser is someone whose job is to estimate the cost or value of something such as property. [AM ] in BRIT, use valuer