Ad*dict" (&?;), p. p. Addicted;
devoted. [Obs.]
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.
