Meaning

verb put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

verb be pertinent or relevant or applicable

verb ask (for something)

originEtymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Proto-Indo-European *pel- Proto-Indo-European *pleḱ-der. Latin plicō Latin applicō Old French applierbor. Middle English aplien English apply Inherited from Middle English aplien, borrowed from Old French applier, from Latin applicō, from ad- + plicō (“fold; arrive”). See applicant, ply.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0