an obstruction that stands in the way (and must be removed or surmounted or circumvented)
something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted; "lack of imagination is an obstacle to one's advancement"; "the poverty of a district is an obstacle to good education"; "the filibuster was a major obstruction to the success of their plan"
take out or remove; "take out the chicken after adding the vegetables"
take away a part from; diminish; "His bad manners detract from his good character"
remove from a certain place, environment, or mental or emotional state; transport into a new location or state; "Their dreams carried the Romantics away into distant lands"; "The car carried us off to the meeting"; "I'll take you away on a holiday"; "I got carried away when I saw the dead man and I started to cry"
take from a person or place; "We took the abused child away from its parents"
ask (for something); "He applied for a leave of absence"; "She applied for college"; "apply for a job"
refer (a word or name) to a person or thing; "He applied this racial slur to me!"
apply oneself to; "Please apply yourself to your homework"
be pertinent or relevant or applicable; "The same laws apply to you!"; "This theory holds for all irrational numbers"; "The same rules go for everyone"