[Haskell-beginners] ($) operator

Hi. I'm working through Real World Haskell, and although it's going well (I just finished the exercise to write a glob matcher without using a regex library, and I'm pleased as punch), I keep seeing the ($) operator, and I'm not sure I understand its use. If the book explains it, I've been unable to find it. Empirically, it seems like: a $ b c d e f .. is equivalent to .. a (b c d e f) But is that it's only purpose? To placate the LISP haters by removing parentheses? (1 +) 2 does the same thing as (1 +) $ 2, and has the same type. Am I missing something? Thanks, John -- "There is no way to peace; peace is the way"