habit

Definitions

1. 1.(Biol.) The general appearance and manner of life of a living organism.
2. 2.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.
3. 3.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. -- 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 "second nature" 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.
4. 4.To inhabit. [Obs.] In thilke places as they [birds] habiten. Rom. of R.
5. 5.To dress; to clothe; to array. They habited themselves lite those rural deities. Dryden.
6. 6.To accustom; to habituate. [Obs.] Chapman.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "habit" mean?
• What is another word for "habit"?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is habit.

• What is the general appearance and manner of life of a living organism called?
• What is to inhabit. [Obs.] In thilke places as they [birds] habiten. Rom. of R called?
• What is to dress; to clothe; to array. They habited themselves lite those rural deities. Dryden called?
• What is to accustom; to habituate. [Obs.] Chapman called?