address

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the manner of speaking to another individual

   They failed to address the captain appropriately.

2. 2
   noun

   the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

   We listened to an address on minor Roman poets.

3. 3
   verb

   to adjust and aim at in preparation of hitting, especially a golf ball

   The golfer addressed the ball before putting.

4. 4
   verb

   to speak to or at

   They addressed the crowd outside the window.

5. 5
   verb

   to give a speech to

   The chairman addressed the board of trustees.

6. 6
   verb

   to speak to someone

   Their speech addresses people aged 18-25.

7. 7
   verb

   to put an address on something, such as an envelope

   I addressed the letter to my cousin.

8. 8
   verb

   to act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

   We wanted to take the time to address the issues everyone is concerned about.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Old French a- Proto-Italic *dwizrektos Proto-Indo-European *h₃reǵ- Proto-Indo-European *h₃réǵeti Proto-Italic *dwizregō Vulgar Latin dīrigō Vulgar Latin dīrēctus Proto-Indo-European *-yetider. Vulgar Latin -iāre Vulgar Latin *dīrēctiāre Old French drecier Old French adrecierbor. Middle English adressen English address From Middle English adressen (“to raise erect, adorn”), from Old French adrecier (“to straighten, address”) (modern French adresser), from Proto-Romance *addīrēctiāre, from ad- (“to; towards”) +…