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Webster 1913 Edition


Addiction

Ad-dic′tion

,
Noun.
[Cf. L.
addictio
an adjudging.]
The state of being addicted; devotion; inclination.
“His addiction was to courses vain.”
Shak.

Webster 1828 Edition


Addiction

ADDIC'TION

,
Noun.
1.
The act of devoting or giving up in practice; the state of being devoted.
His addiction was to courses vain.
2.
Among the Romans, a making over goods to another by sale or legal sentence; also an assignment of debtors in service in their creditors.

Definition 2024


addiction

addiction

English

Noun

addiction (plural addictions)

  1. (medicine) A state that is characterized by compulsive drug use or compulsive engagement in rewarding behavior, despite negative consequences.[1][2]
  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.
    His addiction was to courses vain. Shakespeare.

References

  1. Angres DH, Bettinardi-Angres K (October 2008). "The disease of addiction: origins, treatment, and recovery". Dis Mon 54 (10): 696–721. doi:10.1016/j.disamonth.2008.07.002. PMID 18790142.
  2. Malenka RC, Nestler EJ, Hyman SE (2009). "Chapter 15: Reinforcement and Addictive Disorders". In Sydor A, Brown RY. Molecular Neuropharmacology: A Foundation for Clinical Neuroscience (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. pp. 364–365, 375. ISBN 9780071481274. "The defining feature of addiction is compulsive, out-of-control drug use, despite negative consequences. ...compulsive eating, shopping, gambling, and sex–so-called “natural addictions”– Indeed, addiction to both drugs and behavioral rewards may arise from similar dysregulation of the mesolimbic dopamine system."

Translations


French

Noun

addiction f (plural addictions)

  1. addiction

Norman

Etymology

Borrowing from English addiction.

Noun

addiction f (plural addictions)

  1. (Jersey, medicine) addiction