WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Ad*dict"
Part of Speech : p. p.
Definition : Defn: Addicted; devoted. [Obs.]


Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Ad*dict"
Part of Speech : v. t. [imp. & p. p. Addicted; p. pr. & vb. n. Addicting.]
Etymology : [L. addictus, p. p. of addicere to adjudge, devote; ad + dicere to say. See Diction.]
Definition : 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 Unabridged Dictionary, 1913