apply

Black’s Law Dictionary, 1st Edition, page 80:

APPLY. 1. To make a formal request or petition, usually in writing, to a court, officer, board, or company, for the granting of some favor, or of some rule or order, which is within his of their power of discretion. For example, to apply for an injunction, for a pardon, for a policy of insurance.

2. To use of employ for a particular purpose; to appropriate and devote to a particular use, object, demand, or subject-matter. Thus, to apply payments to the reduction of interest.

3. To put, use, or refer, as suitable or relative; to co-ordinate language with a particular subject-matter; as to apply the words of a statute to a particular state of facts.