What is "applied chemistry"

Apply \Ap*ply"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Applied; p. pr. & vb. n. Applying.] [OF. aplier, F. appliquer, fr. L. applicare to join, fix, or attach to; ad + plicare to fold, to twist together. See Applicant, Ply.]

1. To lay or place; to put or adjust (one thing to another); -- with to; as, to apply the hand to the breast; to apply medicaments to a diseased part of the body.

   He said, and the sword his throat applied.
   --Dryden.

2. To put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case; to appropriate; to devote; as, to apply money to the payment of a debt.

3. To make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relative; as, to apply the testimony to the case; to apply an epithet to a person.

   Yet God at last To Satan, first in sin, his doom applied.
   --Milton.

4. To fix closely; to engage and employ diligently, or with attention; to attach; to incline.

   Apply thine heart unto instruction.
   --Prov. xxiii. 12.

5. To direct or address. [R.]

   Sacred vows . . . applied to grisly Pluto.
   --Pope.

6. To betake; to address; to refer; -- used reflexively.

   I applied myself to him for help.
   --Johnson.

7. To busy; to keep at work; to ply. [Obs.]

   She was skillful in applying his ``humors.''
   --Sir P. Sidney.

8. To visit. [Obs.]

   And he applied each place so fast.
   --Chapman.

   Applied chemistry. See under Chemistry.

   Applied mathematics. See under Mathematics.

Chemistry \Chem"is*try\ (k[e^]m"[i^]s*tr[y^]; 277), n. [From Chemist. See Alchemy.]

1. That branch of science which treats of the composition of substances, and of the changes which they undergo in consequence of alterations in the constitution of the molecules, which depend upon variations of the number, kind, or mode of arrangement, of the constituent atoms. These atoms are not assumed to be indivisible, but merely the finest grade of subdivision hitherto attained. Chemistry deals with the changes in the composition and constitution of molecules. See Atom, Molecule.

   Note: Historically, chemistry is an outgrowth of alchemy (or alchemistry), with which it was anciently identified.

2. An application of chemical theory and method to the consideration of some particular subject; as, the chemistry of iron; the chemistry of indigo.

3. A treatise on chemistry.

   Note: This word and its derivatives were formerly written with y, and sometimes with i, instead of e, in the first syllable, chymistry, chymist, chymical, etc., or chimistry, chimist, chimical, etc.; and the pronunciation was conformed to the orthography.

   Inorganic chemistry, that which treats of inorganic or mineral substances.

   Organic chemistry, that which treats of the substances which form the structure of organized beings and their products, whether animal or vegetable; -- called also chemistry of the carbon compounds. There is no fundamental difference between organic and inorganic chemistry.

   Physiological chemistry, the chemistry of the organs and tissues of the body, and of the various physiological processes incident to life.

   Practical chemistry, or Applied chemistry, that which treats of the modes of manufacturing the products of chemistry that are useful in the arts, of their applications to economical purposes, and of the conditions essential to their best use.

   Pure chemistry, the consideration of the facts and theories of chemistry in their purely scientific relations, without necessary reference to their practical applications or mere utility.