application

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. The act of applying.
2. n. Something applied, such as a cosmetic or curative agent.
3. n. The act of putting something to a special use or purpose: an application of a new method.
4. n. A specific use to which something is put: the application of science to industry.
5. n. The capacity of being usable; relevance: Geometry has practical application in aviation and navigation.
6. n. Close attention; diligence: shows application to her work.
7. n. A request, as for assistance, employment, or admission to a school.
8. n. The form or document on which such a request is made.
9. n. Computer Science A computer program with a user interface.
10. adj. Computer Science Of or being a computer program designed for a specific task or use: applications software for a missile guidance system.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. The act of applying or putting to; the act of laying on: as, the application of emollients to a diseased limb.
2. n. The thing or remedy applied: as, the pain was abated by the application.
3. n. The act of making request or of soliciting; the request so made: as, he made application to the Court of Chancery.
4. n. The act of putting to a special use or purpose; adaptation to a specific end.
5. n. The act of fixing the mind on something; close attention; devotion, as to a pursuit; assiduous effort.
6. n. The act of applying a general principle, law, or theory to a particular case; the demonstration of the relation of a general principle to an actual state of things; the testing of something theoretical by applying it in practice.
7. n. In law, appropriation; the act of allotting among several debts a payment inadequate to satisfy all. See appropriation, 4 .
8. n. In astrology, the approach of a planet to any aspect. Synonyms Request, solicitation, appeal, petition. Industry, Assiduity, Application, etc. See assiduity.

Wiktionary

1. n. The act of applying or laying on, in a literal sense; as, the application of emollients to a diseased limb.
2. n. The thing applied.
3. n. The act of applying as a means; the employment of means to accomplish an end; specific use.
4. n. The act of directing or referring something to a particular case, to discover or illustrate agreement or disagreement, fitness, or correspondence.
5. n. computing A computer program or the set of software that the end user perceives as a single entity as a tool for a well-defined purpose. (Also called: application program; application software.)
6. n. A verbal or written request for assistance or employment or admission to a school.
7. n. bureaucracy, law A petition, entreaty, or other request.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. The act of applying or laying on, in a literal sense.
2. n. The thing applied.
3. n. The act of applying as a means; the employment of means to accomplish an end; specific use.
4. n. The act of directing or referring something to a particular case, to discover or illustrate agreement or disagreement, fitness, or correspondence
5. n. 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.
6. n. The use of the principles of one science for the purpose of enlarging or perfecting another.
7. n. The capacity of being practically applied or used; relevancy.
8. n. The act of fixing the mind or closely applying one's self; assiduous effort; close attention.
9. n. The act of making request of soliciting
10. n. A request; a document containing a request.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. the work of applying something
2. n. the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose
3. n. the action of putting something into operation
4. n. a program that gives a computer instructions that provide the user with tools to accomplish a task
5. n. a verbal or written request for assistance or employment or admission to a school
6. n. a diligent effort
7. n. liquid preparation having a soothing or antiseptic or medicinal action when applied to the skin