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Apt

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)

Synonym: 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.