n. a force that compels; "the public brought pressure to bear on the government"

n. the somatic sensation that results from applying force to an area of skin; "the sensitivity of his skin to pressure and temperature was normal"

n. the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit); "the compressed gas exerts an increased pressure"

n. the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure; "he gave the button a press"; "he used pressure to stop the bleeding"; "at the pressing of a button"

n. the state of demanding notice or attention; "the insistence of their hunger"; "the press of business matters"

v. ask (for something); "He applied for a leave of absence"; "She applied for college"; "apply for a job"

v. refer (a word or name) to a person or thing; "He applied this racial slur to me!"

v. ask (for something); "He applied for a leave of absence"; "She applied for college"; "apply for a job"

v. apply to a surface; "She applied paint to the back of the house"; "Put on make-up!"

v. give or convey physically; "She gave him First Aid"; "I gave him a punch in the nose"

v. avail oneself to; "apply a principle"; "practice a religion"; "use care when going down the stairs"; "use your common sense"; "practice non-violent resistance"

v. to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means :"She forced him to take a job in the city"; "He squeezed her for information"

v. exert pressure on someone through threats

v. put into service; make work or employ (something) for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose; "use your head!"; "we only use Spanish at home"; "I can't use this tool"; "Apply a magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied to many projects"; "How do you utilize this tool?"; "I apply this rule to get good results"; "use the plastic bags to store the food"; "He doesn't know how to use a computer"

v. ensure observance of laws and rules; "Apply the rules to everyone";

v. be pertinent or relevant or applicable; "The same laws apply to you!"; "This theory holds for all irrational numbers"; "The same rules go for everyone"

v. be applicable to; as to an analysis; "This theory lends itself well to our new data"

v. put into service; make work or employ (something) for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose; "use your head!"; "we only use Spanish at home"; "I can't use this tool"; "Apply a magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied to many projects"; "How do you utilize this tool?"; "I apply this rule to get good results"; "use the plastic bags to store the food"; "He doesn't know how to use a computer"

n. (physics) force that produces strain on a physical body; "the intensity of stress is expressed in units of force divided by units of area"

n. using force to cause something; "though pressed into rugby under compulsion I began to enjoy the game"; "they didn`t have to use coercion"

n. an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists); "he may accomplish by craft in the long run what he cannot do by force and violence in the short one"

n. the condition of being essential or indispensable

v. ask for or request earnestly; "The prophet bid all people to become good persons"

v. write a petition for something to somebody; request formally and in writing

v. change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense; "Turn towards me"; "The mugger turned and fled before I could see his face"; "She turned from herself and learned to listen to others' needs"

v. provide treatment for; "The doctor treated my broken leg"; "The nurses cared for the bomb victims"; "The patient must be treated right away or she will die"; "Treat the infection with antibiotics"

v. dress by covering with a therapeutic substance

v. behave in a certain manner; "She carried herself well"; "he bore himself with dignity"; "They conducted themselves well during these difficult times"

v. cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner; "The ads induced me to buy a VCR"; "My children finally got me to buy a computer"; "My wife made me buy a new sofa"

v. make timid or fearful; "Her boss intimidates her"

v. twist and compress, as if in pain or anguish; "Wring one's hand"

v. take liquid out of a container or well; "She drew water from the barrel"

v. create social or emotional ties; "The grandparents want to bond with the child"

v. make someone do something

v. have need of; "This piano wants the attention of a competent tuner"

v. to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open; "The burglar jimmied the lock", "Raccoons managed to pry the lid off the garbage pail"

v. take by force; "Storm the fort"

v. do forcibly; exert force; "Don't force it!"

v. put into service; make work or employ (something) for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose; "use your head!"; "we only use Spanish at home"; "I can't use this tool"; "Apply a magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied to many projects"; "How do you utilize this tool?"; "I apply this rule to get good results"; "use the plastic bags to store the food"; "He doesn't know how to use a computer"

v. work in an administrative capacity; supervise; "administer a program"

v. make (someone) agree, understand, or realize the truth or validity of something; "He had finally convinced several customers of the advantages of his product"

v. move around an axis or a center; "The wheels are turning"

v. put into service; make work or employ (something) for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose; "use your head!"; "we only use Spanish at home"; "I can't use this tool"; "Apply a magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied to many projects"; "How do you utilize this tool?"; "I apply this rule to get good results"; "use the plastic bags to store the food"; "He doesn't know how to use a computer"

v. keep engaged; "engaged the gears"

v. register formally as a participant or member; "The party recruited many new members"

v. work excessively hard; "he is exploiting the students"

v. take advantage of or capitalize on

v. make the most of; "He maximized his role"

v. put into commission; equip for service; of ships

v. enter into a contractual arrangement

v. hire for work or assistance; "engage aid, help, services, or support"

v. hold under a lease or rental agreement; of goods and services

v. assign to a station

v. put into a certain place or abstract location; "Put your things here"; "Set the tray down"; "Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children"; "Place emphasis on a certain point"

v. put into a certain place or abstract location; "Put your things here"; "Set the tray down"; "Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children"; "Place emphasis on a certain point"

v. grant relief or an exemption from a rule or requirement to; "She exempted me from the exam"

v. elude, especially in a baffling way; "This behavior defies explanation"