Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Apt?

\Apt\, a. [F. apte, L. aptus, fr. obsolete apere to fasten, to join, to fit, akin to apisci to reach, attain: cf. Gr. ? to fasten, Skr. [=a]pta fit, fr. [=a]p to reach attain.] 1. Fit or fitted; suited; suitable; appropriate. They have always apt instruments. --Burke. A river . . . apt to be forded by a lamb. --Jer. Taylor. 2. Having an habitual tendency; habitually liable or likely; -- used of things. My vines and peaches . . . were apt to have a soot or smuttiness upon their leaves and fruit. --Temple. This tree, if unprotected, is apt to be stripped of the leaves by a leaf-cutting ant. --Lubbock. 3. Inclined; disposed customarily; given; ready; -- used of persons. Apter to give than thou wit be to ask. --Beau. & Fl. That lofty pity with which prosperous folk are apt to remember their grandfathers. --F. Harrison. 4. Ready; especially fitted or qualified (to do something); quick to learn; prompt; expert; as, a pupil apt to learn; an apt scholar. ``An apt wit.'' --Johnson. Live a thousand years, I shall not find myself so apt to die. --Shak. I find thee apt . . . Now, Hamlet, hear. --Shak. Syn: Fit; meet; suitable; qualified; inclined; disposed; liable; ready; quick; prompt.
\Apt\, v. t. [L. aptare. See {Aptate}.] To fit; to suit; to adapt. [Obs.] `` To apt their places.'' --B. Jonson. That our speech be apted to edification. --Jer. Taylor.