Address (ăddr&ebreve_;s), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Addressed (-dr&ebreve_;st); p. pr. & vb. n. Addressing.] [OE. adressen to raise erect, adorn, OF. adrecier, to straighten, address, F. adresser, fr. à (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.
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Address, n. [Cf. F. adresse. See Address, v. t.]
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1. Act of preparing one's self. [Obs.] Jer Taylor.
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2. Act of addressing one's self to a person; verbal application.
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3. A formal communication, either written or spoken; a discourse; a speech; a formal application to any one; a petition; a formal statement on some subject or special occasion; as, an address of thanks, an address to the voters.
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4. Direction or superscription of a letter, or the name, title, and place of residence of the person addressed.
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5. Manner of speaking to another; delivery; as, a man of pleasing or insinuating address.
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6. Attention in the way one's addresses to a lady. Addison.
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7. Skill; skillful management; dexterity; adroitness.
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Syn. -- Speech; discourse; harangue; oration; petition; lecture; readiness; ingenuity; tact; adroitness.
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