I. ˌapləˈkāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English applicacioun, from Medieval Latin application-, applicatio, from Latin, inclination, from applicatus (past participle of applicare to attach) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at apply
1. : the act of applying:
a. : the bringing to bear (as of one general statement upon another) by way of elucidation
the application of a theory to a case
b. : employment as a means : specific use
the application of certain new techniques
c. : the act of laying on or of bringing into contact
the application of a dressing to the wound
d. : the act of fixing one's mind closely or attentively : assiduous attention
learn by intense application
2. in astrology : approach (as of one planet to another)
3. : appeal , request , petition
an application for a position
an application to an underwriter for insurance
4. : something applied or used in applying: as
a.
(1) : the part of a discourse in which principles stated previously are applied to practical uses
(2) : the moral lesson or inference to be derived from a moral tale ; especially : the explicit formulation of this often given at the end of the tale
b. : something applied to the body locally as a remedial device (as a tourniquet, ointment, or poultice)
5. : capacity of being practically applied or used : relevancy
words of varied application
6. : the denotation of a term in logic
II. noun
: a program (as a word processor or a spreadsheet) that performs one of the important tasks for which a computer is used