[f. ADDICT a.; or on analogy of vbs. so formed.]
1. To deliver over formally by sentence of a judge (to anyone). Hence fig. to make over, give up, surrender. Obs. except as a techn. term in Rom. Law.
1586. J. Hooker, Giraldus’s Hist. Irel., in Holinshed, II. 61/2. With what limitation a prince may or may not addict his realme feodarie to another.
1592. trans. Junius On Apocal., vi. 7. That God will addict the fourth part of this world … unto death and hell.
1670. G. H., trans. Hist. Cardinals, II. ii. 163. The greatest part of the day he addicts either to Study, Devotion, or other Spiritual exercises.
1774. Bp. Hallifax, Anal. Rom. Civ. Law (ed. 4), 58. The Effects of the deceased were by the Praetor addicted, or made over, to one or more of the manumitted Slaves.
1880. [See under ADDICENT].
† 2. refl. To bind, attach or devote oneself as a servant, disciple or adherent (to any person or cause). Obs.
1560. J. Daus, Sleidane’s Comm., 138 a. He addicted him selfe to neyther of them: but now he semed to incline to the Emperour.
1621. 1st & 2nd Bk. of Discipline, 86. True bishops should addict themselves to a particular flocke.
1623. Bingham, Xenophon, 39. He addicted himselfe a scholar to Gorgias the Leontine.
1653. in Baxter, Chr. Concord, A 3. We do Agree and Resolve, not to addict or engage ourselves to any Party.
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., III. 208. We sincerely addict ourselves to Almighty God.
1684. Scanderbeg Rediv., v. 97. ’Twas to be feared he would be too much addicted to the House of Austria.
† 3. To attach (anyone) to a pursuit. Obs.
1660. T. Stanley, Hist. Philos. (1701), 22. He addicted the Citizens to Arts.
4. To devote, give up, or apply habitually to a practice. a. trans. with refl. meaning. (A person addicts his mind, etc., or his tastes addict him.)
1607. Topsell, Four-footed Beasts (1673), 247. It cannot be … that ever he can addict his mind to grave, serious and profitable business.
c. 1630. Jackson, Creed, IV. vi. Wks. III. 68. To addict our best abilities to the service.
1662. Fuller, Worthies (1840), III. 195. His genius addicted him to the study of antiquity.
1667. Oldenburg, in Phil. Trans., II. 413. If these men would addict their palats to the pure fountains, and not wander after every poluted stream.
1829. Scott, Antiq., xvi. 107. The researches to which your taste addicts you.
b. refl. and pass. (A person addicts himself, or is ADDICTED.)
1577. Hanmer, Anc. Eccles. Hist. (1619), 226. Addicting myself with you vnto the same busines.
1597. Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., IV. iii. 135. To forsweare thinne Potations, and to addict themselues to Sack.
1611. Bible, 1 Cor. xvi. 15. They haue addicted themselues to the ministery of the Saints [only occurrence; Wyclif, Rhem. ordained, Tindale, Cranmer appointed, Geneva given].
1665–9. Boyle, Occas. Refl. (1675), Pref. 34. Addicting themselves … to write Occasional Reflections.
1704. T. Hearne, Duct. Hist. (ed. 3), I. 414. He addicted himself to the Discipline of Pythagoras.
1782. Priestley, Nat. & Rev. Relig., I. 33. Persons who addict themselves to vice … become miserable.
1846. Mill, Logic, III. xiii. § 6 (1868), 339. Such persons … will addict themselves to history or science rather than to creative art.
