adj.
Pronunciation: ' apt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin aptus, literally, fastened, from past participle of apere to fasten; akin to Latin apisci to grasp, obtain, apud near, Hittite ḫ ap- to attach
Date: 14th century
1 : unusually fitted or qualified : READY <proved an apt tool in the hands of the conspirators>
2 a : having a tendency : LIKELY <plants apt to suffer from drought> b : ordinarily disposed : INCLINED < apt to accept what is plausible as true>
3 : suited to a purpose especially : being to the point <an apt quotation>
4 : keenly intelligent and responsive <an apt pupil>
synonyms see FIT , QUICK
usage see LIABLE
– apt · ly \ ' ap(t)-l ē \ adverb
– apt · ness \ ' ap(t)-n ə s \ noun