addiction
Etymology

From addict + -ion; compare (Latin) addictio ("an adjudging, an award").

Pronunciation
  • IPA: /əˈdɪkʃən/
Noun

addiction

  1. (medicine) A state that is characterized by compulsive drug use or compulsive engagement in rewarding behavior, despite negative consequences.
    • 2019, Thy Art is Murder, Chemical Christ:
      Do your lethal addictions to self-prescriptions numb the ache of the darkest days?
  2. The state of being addicted; devotion; inclination.
  3. A habit or practice that damages, jeopardizes or shortens one's life but when ceased causes trauma.
  4. A pathological relationship to mood altering experience that has life damaging consequences.
    • 1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act I, scene i]:
      His addiction was to courses vain.
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