habit : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: habit	by the DICT Development Group
3 results for habit
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
habit n an established custom; "it was their habit to dine at 7 every evening" Synonym(s): habit, wont (psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition; "owls have nocturnal habits"; "she had a habit twirling the ends of her hair"; "long use had hardened him to it" Synonym(s): habit, use a distinctive attire worn by a member of a religious order the general form or mode of growth (especially of a plant or crystal); "a shrub of spreading habit" attire that is typically worn by a horseback rider (especially a woman's attire) Synonym(s): habit, riding habit excessive use of drugs Synonym(s): substance abuse, drug abuse, habit v put a habit on
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Habit \Hab"it\n. [OE. habit, abit fr. habit fr. L. habitus state, appearance, dress, fr. habere to have, be in a condition; prob. akin to E. have. See {Have}, and cf. {Able}, {Binnacle}, {Debt}, {Due}, {Exhibit}, {Malady.}] 1. The usual condition or state of a person or thing, either natural or acquired, regarded as something had, possessed, and firmly retained; as, a religious habit; his habit is morose; elms have a spreading habit; esp., physical temperament or constitution; as, a full habit of body. 2. (Biol.) The general appearance and manner of life of a living organism. 3. Fixed or established custom; ordinary course of conduct; practice; usage; hence, prominently, the involuntary tendency or aptitude to perform certain actions which is acquired by their frequent repetition; as, habit is second nature; also, peculiar ways of acting; characteristic forms of behavior. A man of very shy, retired habits. --W. Irving. 4. Outward appearance; attire; dress; hence, a garment; esp., a closely fitting garment or dress worn by ladies; as, a riding habit. Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy. --Shak. There are, among the states, several of Venus, in different habits. --Addison. Syn: Practice; mode; manner; way; custom; fashion. Usage: {Habit}, {Custom.} Habit is a disposition or tendency leading us to do easily, naturally, and with growing certainty, what we do often; custom is external, being habitual use or the frequent repetition of the same act. The two operate reciprocally on each other. The custom of giving produces a habit of liberality; habits of devotion promote the custom of going to church. Custom also supposes an act of the will, selecting given modes of procedure; habit is a law of our being, a kind of [bd]second nature[b8] which grows up within us. How use doth breed a habit in a man ! --Shak. He who reigns . . . upheld by old repute, Consent, or custom. --Milton.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Habit \Hab"it\ (h[acr]b"[icr]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Habited}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Habiting}.] [OE. habiten to dwell, F. habiter, fr. L. habitare to have frequently, to dwell, intens. fr. habere to have. See {Habit}, n.] 1. To inhabit. [Obs.] In thilke places as they [birds] habiten. --Rom. of R. 2. To dress; to clothe; to array. They habited themselves lite those rural deities. --Dryden. 3. To accustom; to habituate. [Obs.] Chapman.