addict

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

He is addicted to his study. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

That part of mankind that addict their minds to speculations. Adventurer. [ 1913 Webster ]

His genius addicted him to the study of antiquity. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

A man gross . . . and addicted to low company. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To adapt; to make suitable; to fit. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The land about is exceedingly addicted to wood, but the coldness of the place hinders the growth. Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being addicted; attachment. [ 1913 Webster ]