| addict | 1. To apply habitually; to devote; to habituate; with to. "They addict themselves to the civil law." "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. "The land about is exceedingly addicted to wood, but the coldness of the place hinders the growth." (Evelyn) Synonym: 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." . 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. Origin: L. Addictus, p. P. Of addicere to adjudge, devote; ad + dicere to say. See Diction. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| addiction | <psychiatry> Pattern of compulsive drug use characterised by a continued craving for an opioid and the need to use the opioid for effects other than pain relief. (Psychological dependence). The state of being given up to some habit, especially strong dependence on a drug. (16 Dec 1997) |
| addictive drug | Any drug that creates a certain degree of euphoria and has a strong potential for addiction. (05 Mar 2000) |