The term application is now widely used in different contexts, from technology to psychology, all the way to everyday life. It can refer both to a concrete tool—such as software—and to a mental attitude, such as commitment and concentration. This richness of meaning has deep roots in its etymological origin.
The word derives from the Latin applicatio, in turn formed from the verb applicare. This verb is composed of ad (“toward”) and plicare (“to fold”). Literally, applicare meant “to fold toward,” “to bring close,” “to put into contact.” The image is very concrete: something brought near to something else, almost to the point of joining it. By contrast, “to complicate” comes from cum-plicare, to fold together multiple elements until they become intertwined: the difference between the two verbs lies in choosing a simple direction or a tangle of directions. We aim to apply narrative medicine, not to complicate healthcare.
Originally, to apply had a physical and material meaning: one would speak of applying a bandage to a wound, placing a tool on a surface, or bringing two elements together.
Over time, its meaning gradually expanded, taking on a more abstract dimension: application also came to mean dedicating oneself with commitment to an activity. Saying that a person “applies themselves” means that they direct their mental energies toward a goal, maintaining attention, concentration, and consistency. The original meaning is not lost: here too there is a “movement toward” something, but no longer only physically between objects—rather with the mind and will toward the thoughts and words of others.
In the contemporary world, the term has acquired an additional meaning with the development of digital technology. Today, an application—or more commonly, an “app”—is a program designed to perform specific functions on electronic devices. Even in this case, the link to its etymology remains surprisingly consistent: an application is something that “applies itself” to a broader system (such as a smartphone or computer), integrating with it to perform a specific task.
From a symbolic point of view, application therefore evokes the idea of connection and orientation. Whether it is a hand applying a dressing, a student focused on their studies, or software installed on a device, the underlying thread is always the same: a movement toward something, an intentional act of bringing closer.
In psychology and education, application is not only effort, but also continuity, discipline, and mental presence. It indicates the ability to remain “attached” to a task, without dispersing one’s energies, fostering both personal growth and the growth of others.
In summary, the strength of the word application lies in its versatility and its concrete origin. From a simple physical gesture—folding something toward another—emerged a word capable of describing both human commitment and the tools of modern technology: a testament to how language evolves while preserving its connection to the simplest and most universal images.
In this issue, Chronicles of Health and Narrative Medicine presents the concept of application through the project work developed during the 2025/2026 Master’s program: applications of listening, testimony, and design aimed at improving social and healthcare services, embracing complexity without turning it into complication.