apt

See also apt., and ap’t

English

Etymology

From French apte, from Latin aptus, from obsolete apere (to fasten, to join, to fit), akin to apisci (to reach, attain); compare with Greek ἅπτειν (haptīn, to fasten) and Sanskrit आप्त (āpta, fit), from आप् (āp, to reach, attain).

Pronunciation

Adjective

apt (comparative apter or more apt, superlative aptest or most apt)

  1. Suitable; appropriate; fit or fitted; suited.
    Tonight there’s a full moon, which is apt, since the election night will bring out the lunatics.
  2. (of persons or things) Having a habitual tendency; habitually liable or likely; disposed towards.
    This tree, if unprotected, is apt to be stripped of its leaves by a leaf-cutting ant.
  3. Ready; especially fitted or qualified (to do something); quick to learn; prompt; expert; as, a pupil apt to learn; an apt scholar.
    (Can we date this quote?) An apt wit. —Johnson.
    (Can we date this quote?) (Although I) live a thousand years, I shall not find myself so apt to die. —Shakespeare

Synonyms

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Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

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Anagrams

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Last modified on 19 May 2013, at 18:47