Addict \Ad*dict"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Addicted; p. pr. & vb.
n. Addicting.]
[L. addictus, p. p. of addicere to adjudge,
devote; ad + dicere to say. See Diction.]
1. To apply habitually; to devote; to habituate; -- with to.
``They addict themselves to the civil law.'' --Evelyn.
He is addicted to his study. --Beau. & Fl.
That part of mankind that addict their minds to
speculations. --Adventurer.
His genius addicted him to the study of antiquity.
--Fuller.
A man gross . . . and addicted to low company.
--Macaulay.
2. To adapt; to make suitable; to fit. [Obs.]
The land about is exceedingly addicted to wood, but
the coldness of the place hinders the growth.
--Evelyn.
Syn: Addict, Devote, Consecrate, Dedicate. Addict was
formerly used in a good sense; as, addicted to letters;
but is now mostly employed in a bad sense or an
indifferent one; as, addicted to vice; addicted to
sensual indulgence. ``Addicted to staying at home.''
--J. S. Mill. Devote is always taken in a good sense,
expressing habitual earnestness in the pursuit of some
favorite object; as, devoted to science. Consecrate and
dedicate express devotion of a higher kind, involving
religious sentiment; as, consecrated to the service of
the church; dedicated to God.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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