habit

Main Entry: ¹hab·it

Pronunciation: \ˈha-bət\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin habitus condition, character, from habēre to have, hold — more at give

Date: 13th century

1 archaic : clothing
2 a : a costume characteristic of a calling, rank, or function <a nun's habit> b : a costume worn for horseback riding
3 : manner of conducting oneself : bearing
4 : bodily appearance or makeup <a man of fleshy habit>
5 : the prevailing disposition or character of a person's thoughts and feelings : mental makeup
6 : a settled tendency or usual manner of behavior <her habit of taking a morning walk>
7 a : a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiologic exposure that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance b : an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary <got up early from force of habit> c : addiction <a drug habit>
8 : characteristic mode of growth or occurrence <a grass similar to Indian corn in habit>
9 of a crystal : characteristic assemblage of forms at crystallization leading to a usual appearance : shape

synonyms habit, practice, usage, custom, wont mean a way of acting fixed through repetition. habit implies a doing unconsciously and often compulsively <had a habit of tapping his fingers>. practice suggests an act or method followed with regularity and usually through choice <our practice is to honor all major credit cards>. usage suggests a customary action so generally followed that it has become a social norm <western-style dress is now common usage in international business>. custom applies to a practice or usage so steadily associated with an individual or group as to have almost the force of unwritten law <the custom of wearing black at funerals>. wont usually applies to an habitual manner, method, or practice of an individual or group <as was her wont, she slept until noon>.

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