verb · To answer the morning roll call in old-style government offices, typically held between 5 and 7 am.

旧时代的官吏每天清晨都要准时到衙门应卯。

verb · To put in a conventional or perfunctory appearance; to do something just for form's sake.

他只是去那儿应卯，根本没打算真正参与讨论。