n.
Pronunciation: ə - ' dres, a- also ' a- ˌ dres
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English adressen, from Anglo-French adrescer, from a- (fr. Latin ad- ) + drescer to to direct, put right ― more at DRESS
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 archaic a : DIRECT , AIM b : to direct to go : SEND
2 a : to direct the efforts or attention of (oneself) <will address himself to the problem> b : to deal with : TREAT <intrigued by the chance to address important issues ― I. L. Horowitz>
3 archaic : to make ready especially : DRESS
4 a : to communicate directly < address es his thanks to his host> b : to speak or write directly to especially : to deliver a formal speech to
5 a : to mark directions for delivery on < address a letter> b : to consign to the care of another (as an agent or factor)
6 : to greet by a prescribed form
7 : to adjust the club preparatory to hitting (a golf ball)
8 : to identify (as a computer peripheral or memory location) by an address or a name for information transfer
intransitive verb obsolete : to direct one's speech or attentions
– ad · dress · er noun