habit

¹

[hab-it]

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.

verb (used with object)

1. to clothe; array.

   Synonyms: deck out, attire, garb, dress

habit

²

[hab-it]

verb (used with object)

1. Archaic.,  to dwell in.

verb (used without object)

1. Obsolete.,  to dwell.

habit

/ 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

verb

1. to clothe

2. an archaic word for inhabit habituate

habit

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.

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of habit¹

C13: from Latin habitus custom, from habēre to have

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

see kick a habit.

Synonym Study

See custom.

Example Sentences

We hold steadfast to community, to joy, to service, to open-mindedness, and we demonstrate it in our dining habits.

From Los Angeles Times

Data indicate streaming viewers are showing up for specific scheduled programs on BBC News, mirroring the habits of traditional TV users, Leasca said.

From Los Angeles Times

Rising cases of these hormone-related cancers are also associated with lifestyle shifts - including later pregnancies, reduced breastfeeding, obesity, and sedentary habits.

From BBC

Despite our best intentions, it can lead to churning - the habit of packing items for disposal, without actually moving them on.

From BBC

The three-episode conclusion has provided Han the opportunity to give Belly a more fully dimensional journey of unlearning bad habits, spreading her wings and figuring out who she wants to be in the world.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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