from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Indulge \In*dulge"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Indulged}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Indulging}.] [L. indulgere to be kind or tender to
one; cf. OIr. dilgud, equiv. to L. remissio, OIr. dligeth,
equiv. to L. lex, Goth. dulgs debt.]
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1. To be complacent toward; to give way to; not to oppose or
restrain;
(a) when said of a habit, desire, etc.: to give free
course to; to give one's self up to; as, to indulge
sloth, pride, selfishness, or inclinations;
(b) when said of a person: to yield to the desire of; to
gratify by compliance; to humor; to withhold restraint
from; as, to indulge children in their caprices or
willfulness; to indulge one's self with a rest or in
pleasure.
[1913 Webster]
Hope in another life implies that we indulge
ourselves in the gratifications of this very
sparingly. --Atterbury.
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2. To grant as by favor; to bestow in concession, or in
compliance with a wish or request.
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Persuading us that something must be indulged to
public manners. --Jer. Taylor.
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Yet, yet a moment, one dim ray of light
Indulge, dread Chaos, and eternal Night! --Pope.
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Note: It is remarked by Johnson, that if the matter of
indulgence is a single thing, it has with before it; if
it is a habit, it has in; as, he indulged himself with
a glass of wine or a new book; he indulges himself in
idleness or intemperance. See {Gratify}.
[1913 Webster]