from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Address \Ad*dress"\ ([a^]d*dr[e^]s"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Addressed} (-dr[e^]st"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Addressing}.] [OE.
adressen to raise erect, adorn, OF. adrecier, to straighten,
address, F. adresser, fr. [`a] (L. ad) + OF. drecier, F.
dresser, to straighten, arrange. See {Dress}, v.]
1. To aim; to direct. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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And this good knight his way with me addrest.
--Spenser.
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2. To prepare or make ready. [Obs.]
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His foe was soon addressed. --Spenser.
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Turnus addressed his men to single fight. --Dryden.
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The five foolish virgins addressed themselves at the
noise of the bridegroom's coming. --Jer. Taylor.
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3. Reflexively: To prepare one's self; to apply one's skill
or energies (to some object); to betake.
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These men addressed themselves to the task.
--Macaulay.
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4. To clothe or array; to dress. [Archaic]
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Tecla . . . addressed herself in man's apparel.
--Jewel.
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5. To direct, as words (to any one or any thing); to make, as
a speech, petition, etc. (to any one, an audience).
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The young hero had addressed his players to him for
his assistance. --Dryden.
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6. 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; to accost.
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Are not your orders to address the senate?
--Addison.
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The representatives of the nation addressed the
king. --Swift.
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7. To direct in writing, as a letter; to superscribe, or to
direct and transmit; as, he addressed a letter.
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8. To make suit to as a lover; to court; to woo.
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9. (Com.) To consign or intrust to the care of another, as
agent or factor; as, the ship was addressed to a merchant
in Baltimore.
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{To address one's self to}.
(a) To prepare one's self for; to apply one's self to.
(b) To direct one's speech or discourse to.
{To address the ball} (Golf), to take aim at the ball,
adjusting the grip on the club, the attitude of the body,
etc., to a convenient position.
[Webster 1913 Suppl. 1913 Webster]