habit

¹ American  

[hab-it] / ˈhæb ɪt /

noun

1. an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary.

   the habit of looking both ways before crossing the street.

2. customary practice or use.

   Daily bathing is an American habit.

   Synonyms:

   wont, bent

3. a particular practice, custom, or usage.

   the habit of shaking hands.

4. a dominant or regular disposition or tendency; prevailing character or quality.

   She has a habit of looking at the bright side of things.

5. Often the habit addiction, especially to narcotics.

6. mental character or disposition.

   a habit of mind.

7. characteristic bodily or physical condition.

8. the characteristic form, aspect, mode of growth, etc., of an organism.

   a twining habit.

9. the characteristic crystalline form of a mineral.

10. garb of a particular rank, profession, religious order, etc..

    a monk's habit.

    Synonyms:

    costume, dress

11. the attire worn by a rider of a saddle horse.

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verb (used with object)

1. to clothe; array.

   Synonyms:

   deck out, attire, garb, dress

idioms

1. old habits die hard. old habits die hard.

habit ² American  

[hab-it] / ˈhæb ɪt /

verb (used with object)

1. Archaic. to dwell in.

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verb (used without object)

1. Obsolete. to dwell.

habit British  

/ ˈhæbɪt /

noun

1. a tendency or disposition to act in a particular way

2. established custom, usual practice, etc

3. psychol a learned behavioural response that has become associated with a particular situation, esp one frequently repeated

4. mental disposition or attitude

   a good working habit of mind

5. 1. a practice or substance to which a person is addicted

      drink has become a habit with him

   2. the state of being dependent on something, esp a drug

6. botany zoology the method of growth, type of existence, behaviour, or general appearance of a plant or animal

   a climbing habit

   a burrowing habit

7. the customary apparel of a particular occupation, rank, etc, now esp the costume of a nun or monk

8. Also called: riding habit.  a woman's riding dress

9. crystallog short for crystal habit

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verb

1. to clothe

2. an archaic word for inhabit habituate

habit Scientific  

/ hăb′ĭt /

1. The characteristic shape of a crystal, such as the cubic habit that is characteristic of pyrite.

2. The characteristic manner of growth of a plant. For example, grape plants and ivy display a vining habit.

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habit More Idioms  

1. see kick a habit.

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Related Words

See custom.

Etymology

Origin of habit¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Latin habitus “state, style, practice,” equivalent to habi- (variant stem of habēre “to have”) + -tus verbal noun suffix; replacing Middle English abit, from Old French

Origin of habit²

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English habiten from Old French (h)abiter, from Latin habitāre “to wear habitually; inhabit; habitat

Example Sentences

Charlie Nunn said "we have definitely listened" after the UK's biggest lender was criticised for comparing employees' spending habits to the wider public to show if they weathered the cost-of-living crisis better.

From BBC

Since 1997, participants have regularly reported details about their eating habits and lifestyle.

From Science Daily

The 7.5 week study compared individuals who stopped eating at least three hours before bedtime with those who maintained their usual eating habits.

From Science Daily

Since turning to BookTok, she has made reading a regular habit.

From BBC

But as another Whitehall insider suggests: "The habits of Westminster were set when nearly all politicians were men, nearly all journalists were men, and nearly all civil servants were men".

From BBC

Related Words

• custom
• manner
• mode
• nature
• obsession
• pattern
• quirk
• routine
• style
• thing
• usage