1. (psychology) an automatic pattern of behaviour in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition
   "owls have nocturnal habits"; "she had a habit twirling the ends of her hair";
   - use
    
2. An established custom or habit
   "it was their habit to dine at 7 every evening";
   - wont
    
3. (religion) a distinctive attire worn by a member of a religious order
   "The nun's black and white habit was easily recognizable"
    
4. Attire that is typically worn by a horseback rider (especially a woman's attire)
   "She donned her elegant riding habit for the fox hunt";
   - riding habit
    
5. The general form or mode of growth (especially of a plant or crystal)
   "a shrub of spreading habit"
    
6. Excessive use of drugs
   "His habit was costing him hundreds of dollars per day";
   - substance abuse, drug abuse

1. Put a habit on
   "The nun habited herself before morning prayers"

Derived forms: habiting, habited, habits

Type of: abuse, apparel [archaic], attire, clothe, custom, development, dress, enclothe [rare], fit out, garb, garment, growing, growth, habilitate [archaic], maturation, misuse, ontogenesis, ontogeny, raiment [archaic], tog [informal], tradition, usage, usance [archaic]

Encyclopedia: Habit, Kentucky