addict

pronunciation

How to pronounce addict in British English: UK [ˈædɪkt] word uk audio image

How to pronounce addict in American English: US [ˈædɪkt] word us audio image

Noun:

someone who is so ardently devoted to something that it resembles an addiction
someone who is physiologically dependent on a substance; abrupt deprivation of the substance produces withdrawal symptoms
Verb:

to cause (someone or oneself) to become dependent (on something, especially a narcotic drug)

Word Origin

addict: addict: [16] Originally, addict was an adjective in English, meaning ‘addicted’. It was borrowed from Latin addictus, the past participle of addicere, which meant ‘give over or award to someone’. This in turn was formed from the prefix ad- ‘to’ and the verb dicere. The standard meaning of dicere was ‘say’ (as in English diction, dictionary, and dictate), but it also had the sense ‘adjudge’ or ‘allot’, and that was its force in addicere.=> dictate, diction, dictionary

addict (v.): 1530s (implied in addicted), from Latin addictus, past participle of addicere "to deliver, award, yield; give assent, make over, sell," figuratively "to devote, consecrate; sacrifice, sell out, betray" from ad- "to" (see ad-) + dicere "say, declare" (see diction), but also "adjudge, allot." Earlier in English as an adjective, "delivered, devoted" (1520s). Related: Addicted; addicting.

1. " The younger you start the better , " says fashion consultant and recovering addict pandora delevigne .

2. I 'm an addict and an angel , and I know that I am heaven expelled , dont need preacher or a teacher telling me about hell .

3. The flight in and out of relationships soon looses its thrill , and the love addict is left with pain and loss .

4. Daniel is still supporting his wife , a meth addict , because he 's worried she will end up on the street .

5. Because these changes make it much harder for the addict to control substance use , health experts recommend professional treatment and complete abstinence .