address

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Direction.

2. 2

   Preparation.

   • This is one bad effect of a good Character—it invites applications from the unfortunate and there needs no small degree of address to gain the reputation of Benevolence without incurring the expence.—
   • The warmth of Father Pedro's constitution had formerly drawn him into some scrapes from which it required all his address to disengage himself, and rendered him exceedingly cautious ever after.
   • At their turning-lathes, they employ their toes to guide the chisel; and, in these pedipulations, shew to Europeans a diverting degree of address.
3. 3

   To prepare oneself.

   • Let us address to tend on Hector's heels.
4. ›+ 15 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To direct speech.

      • Young Turnus to the Beaubteous Maid addreſs’d.
   2. 5

      To aim

      To aim; to direct.

      • And this good knight his way with me addrest.
   3. 6

      To prepare or make ready.

      • His foe was soone addrest.
      • Then Turnus, from his chariot, leaping light, Addreſs’d himſelf on foot to ſingle fight.
      • The five foolish virgins addressed themselves at the noise of the bridegroom's coming.
   4. 7

      To prepare oneself

      To prepare oneself; to apply one's skill or energies (to some object); to betake.

      • These men addressed themselves to the task.
      • […] good heavens! dumplings for supper! One young fellow in a green box coat, addressed himself to these dumplings in a most direful manner.
   5. 8

      To direct one’s remarks (to someone).

      • He addressed himself directly to Miss Bennet, with a polite congratulation […]
   6. 9

      To clothe or array

      To clothe or array; to dress.

   7. 10

      To direct, as words (to anyone or anything)

      To direct, as words (to anyone or anything); to make, as a speech, petition, etc. (to any audience).

      • though the young Heroe had addreſs’d his Prayers to him for his aſſiſtance
      • He addressed some portions of his remarks to his supporters, some to his opponents.
   8. 11

      To direct speech to

      To direct speech to; to make a communication to, whether spoken or written; to apply to by words, as by a speech, petition, etc., to speak to.

      • Are not your orders to address the senate?
      • The representatives of the nation in parliament, and the privy council, address the king
      • Rimmer paused for no discernible reason, then yelled, equally inexplicably: 'Shut up!', wheeled round 180º, and appeared to be addressing a dartboard.
   9. 12

      To direct in writing, as a letter

      To direct in writing, as a letter; to superscribe, or to direct and transmit.

      • He addressed a letter.
   10. 13

       To make suit to as a lover

       To make suit to as a lover; to court; to woo.

   11. 14

       To consign or entrust to the care of another, as agent or factor.

       • The ship was addressed to a merchant in Baltimore.
   12. 15

       To address oneself to

       To address oneself to; to prepare oneself for; to apply oneself to; to direct one's speech, discourse or efforts to.

       • He stepped away from the sink, put up the toilet ring (Vi complained bitterly if he forgot to put it down when he was through, but never seemed to feel any pressing need to put it back up when she was), and addressed the John.
   13. 16

       To direct attention towards a problem or obstacle, in an attempt to resolve it.

   14. 17

       To refer to a location in computer memory.

   15. 18

       To get ready to hit (the ball on the tee).

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