\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.