habit

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   attire that is typically worn by a female horseback rider

   Before visiting the ranch, I bought a new habit for riding.

2. 2
   noun

   an established custom

   it was their habit to dine at 7 every evening

3. 3
   noun

   the general form or mode of growth (especially of a plant or crystal)

   a shrub of spreading habit

4. 4
   noun

   An action performed on a regular basis.

   It’s become a habit of mine to have a cup of coffee after dinner.

5. 5
   noun

   An action performed repeatedly and automatically, usually without awareness.

   By force of habit, he dressed for work even though it was holiday.

6. 6
   noun

   An addiction.

   kick the habit

7. 7
   verb

   To clothe.

   Here I began my shopping, was interviewed by dressmakers, and naturally had much to do to habit myself for civilized life again.

8. 8
   noun

   A long piece of clothing worn by monks and nuns.

   It’s interesting how Catholic and Buddhist monks both wear habits.

Etymology

From Middle English habit, from Latin habitus (“condition, bearing, state, appearance, dress, attire”), from habeō (“to have, hold, keep”). Distantly related to gift. Replaced Middle English abit, from Old French abit, itself from the same Latin source. Displaced native Old English þēaw, wuna, and ġewuna.