habit

Meanings

Noun

• An action performed on a regular basis.
• An action performed repeatedly and automatically, usually without awareness.
• A long piece of clothing worn by monks and nuns.
• A piece of clothing worn uniformly for a specific activity.
• Outward appearance; attire; dress.
• Form of growth or general appearance of a variety or species of plant or crystal.
• An addiction.

Verb

• To clothe.
• To inhabit.

Origin

• From Middle English habit, from Latin habitus ("condition, bearing, state, appearance, dress, attire"), from habeō. Replaced Middle English abit, from Old French abit, itself from the same Latin source. Displaced native Old English þēaw.
• From Middle English habiten, from Old French habiter, from Latin habitāre, present active infinitive of habitō, frequentative of habeō; see have.