apt definition

<acronym>

1. <programming language> Automatically Programmed Tools.

2. <company> Audio Processing Technology.

(01 Apr 2006)

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." "Live a thousand years, I shall not find myself so apt to die." (Shak) "I find thee apt . . . Now, Hamlet, hear." (Shak)

Synonyms: Fit, meet, suitable, qualified, inclined, disposed, liable, ready, quick, prompt.

Origin: F. Apte, L. Aptus, fr. Obsolete apere to fasten, to join, to fit, akin to apisci to reach, attain: cf. Gr. To fasten, Skr. Apta fit, fr. Ap to reach attain.

(01 Mar 1998)