Ap`pli*ca"tion (&?;), n. [L.
applicatio, fr. applicare: cf. F. application. See
Apply.] 1. The act of applying or laying on, in
a literal sense; as, the application of emollients to a diseased
limb.
2. The thing applied.
He invented a new application by which blood might be
stanched.
Johnson.
3. The act of applying as a means; the employment
of means to accomplish an end; specific use.
If a right course . . . be taken with children, there will
not be much need of the application of the common rewards and
punishments.
Locke.
4. The act of directing or referring something to a
particular case, to discover or illustrate agreement or disagreement,
fitness, or correspondence; as, I make the remark, and leave you to make
the application; the application of a theory.
5. Hence, in specific uses: (a)
That part of a sermon or discourse in which the principles before laid down
and illustrated are applied to practical uses; the "moral" of a fable.
(b) The use of the principles of one science for the
purpose of enlarging or perfecting another; as, the application of
algebra to geometry.
6. The capacity of being practically applied or
used; relevancy; as, a rule of general application.
7. The act of fixing the mind or closely applying
one's self; assiduous effort; close attention; as, to injure the health by
application to study.
Had his application been equal to his talents, his
progress might have been greater.
J. Jay.
8. The act of making request of soliciting; as, an
application for an office; he made application to a court of
chancery.
9. A request; a document containing a request; as,
his application was placed on file.
