habit 1
/hab"it/ , n.
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.
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. addiction, esp. to narcotics (often prec. by the ).
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.
11. the attire worn by a rider of a saddle horse.
v.t.
12. to clothe; array.
[ 1175-1225; ME habitus state, style, practice, equiv. to habi- (var. s. of habere to have) + -tus verbal n. suffix; r. ME abit ]
Syn. 2. bent, wont. 3. See custom. 10. dress, costume. 12. dress, garb, attire; deck out.
habit 2
/hab"it/ , v.t.
1. Archaic. to dwell in.
v.i.
2. Obs. to dwell.
[ 1325-75; ME habiten habitare to inhabit; see HABITAT ]