Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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 ``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.
\Hab"it\ (h[a^]b"[i^]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.