addiction Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming (especially alcohol or narcotic drugs)
    dependance; habituation; dependence; dependency.
  2. noun an abnormally strong craving
  3. noun (Roman law) a formal award by a magistrate of a thing or person to another person (as the award of a debtor to his creditor); a surrender to a master
    • under Roman law addiction was the justification for slavery

WordNet

Ad*dic"tion noun
Etymology
Cf. L. addictio an adjudging.
Definitions
  1. The state of being addicted; devotion; inclination. "His addiction was to courses vain." Shak.

Webster 1913