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. apta fit, fr. ap 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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.