habit

hab·it

H0002400 (hăb′ĭt)n.1. a. A recurrent, often unconscious pattern of behavior that is acquired through frequent repetition: made a habit of going to bed early.b. An established disposition of the mind or character: a pessimistic habit.c. Customary manner or practice: an early riser by habit.d. An addiction, especially to a narcotic drug.2. Characteristic appearance, form, or manner of growth, especially of a plant or crystal: "The habit of an apple tree is fine for the small garden" (Robert Dash).3. a. A distinctive set of clothing or style of dressing, especially of a religious order.b. A riding habit.4. Archaic Physical constitution.tr.v. hab·it·ed, hab·it·ing, hab·its 1. To clothe; dress.2. To clothe in a habit, especially a nun's habit.

[Middle English, clothing, from Old French, clothing, behavior, custom, from Latin habitus, from past participle of habēre, to have; see ghabh- in Indo-European roots.]Synonyms: habit, practice, custom, wont
These nouns denote patterns of behavior established by continual repetition. Habit applies to a behavior or practice so ingrained that it is often done without conscious thought: "Habit rules the unreflecting herd" (William Wordsworth).
Practice denotes an often chosen pattern of individual or group behavior: "You will find it a very good practice always to verify your references, sir" (Martin Joseph Routh).
Custom is behavior as established by long practice and especially by accepted conventions: "No written law has ever been more binding than unwritten custom supported by popular opinion" (Carrie Chapman Catt).
Wont refers to a customary and distinctive practice: "Miss Roxy sat bolt upright, as was her wont" (Harriet Beecher Stowe).

habit

(ˈhæbɪt) n1. a tendency or disposition to act in a particular way2. established custom, usual practice, etc3. (Psychology) psychol a learned behavioural response that has become associated with a particular situation, esp one frequently repeated4. mental disposition or attitude: a good working habit of mind. 5. a. a practice or substance to which a person is addicted: drink has become a habit with him. b. the state of being dependent on something, esp a drug6. (Biology) botany zoology the method of growth, type of existence, behaviour, or general appearance of a plant or animal: a climbing habit; a burrowing habit. 7. (Clothing & Fashion) the customary apparel of a particular occupation, rank, etc, now esp the costume of a nun or monk8. (Clothing & Fashion) Also called: riding habit a woman's riding dress9. (Chemistry) crystallog short for crystal habitvb (tr) 10. (Clothing & Fashion) to clothe11. an archaic word for inhabit, habituate[C13: from Latin habitus custom, from habēre to have]

hab•it

(ˈhæb ɪt)

n. 1. an acquired pattern of behavior that has become almost involuntary as a result of frequent repetition. 2. customary practice or use. 3. a particular practice, custom, or usage: the habit of shaking hands. 4. a dominant or regular character or tendency: a habit of criticizing everyone. 5. addiction. 6. mental character or disposition. 7. characteristic bodily or physical condition. 8. the characteristic crystalline form of a mineral. 9. garb of a particular rank, profession, religious order, etc.; dress: a monk's habit. 10. the special attire worn by a person for horseback riding. v.t. 11. to clothe; array; attire. [1175–1225; Middle English abit < Old French < Latin habitus state, style, practice =habi-, variant s. of habēre to have, hold + -tus suffix of v. action] syn: See custom.

hab·it

(hăb′ĭt)1. The characteristic shape of a crystal: the cubic habit of pyrite.2. The characteristic manner of growth of a plant: a low plant with a creeping habit.

Habit

See Also: BEHAVIOR, FLEXIBILITY/INFLEXIBILITY

An annoying habit … like the habit of people who take nonfattening sweeteners in their coffee, and order chocolate mousse —Marilyn Sharp
As the snow flakes gather, so our habits are formed —Jeremy Bentham
A bad custom is like a good cake, better broken than kept —Randle Cotgrave
The word ‘custom’ is often interchanged with ‘habit.’
Bad habits are like a comfortable bed; easy to get into, but hard to get out of —Rev. Watson C. Blake
The customs and fashions of men change like leaves on the bough, some of which go and others come —Alighieri Dante
(I like to) go tick-ticking along like a clock —Edith Wharton
Habit, like a crane, will bow its neck and dip its pulleyed cable, gathering me … into the daylight —Harold Monro
(All will be well, we say; it is) a habit, like the rising of the sun —Edna St. Vincent Millay
The habit (of command) was already fitting him like a tailored suit —Ken Follett
Kept on along the narrow track of habit, like a traveler; climbing a road in a fog —Edith Wharton
Set in his ways as a chunk of concrete —F. Hopkinson Smith
Set in one’s way, as elderly apple trees —Allison Lurie
Shook my wild habits from me … like a worn-out cloak —O. Henry
Take for granted, like running water —Anon
Used to it, like a wart —Jonathan Kellerman
Using drugs like table salt —Jimmy Breslin
We are bagged in habit like clothes back from the cleaners —Marge Piercy

habit

custom">custom1. 'habit'

A habit is something that a person does often or regularly.

He had a nervous habit of biting his nails.Try to get out of the habit of adding unnecessary salt in cooking.2. 'custom'

A custom is something that people in a society do at a particular time of year or in a particular situation.

It is the custom to take chocolates or fruit when visiting a patient in hospital.My wife likes all the old English customs.

habit

Past participle: habited
Gerund: habiting

Imperative
habit
habit

Present
I habit
you habit
he/she/it habits
we habit
you habit
they habit

Preterite
I habited
you habited
he/she/it habited
we habited
you habited
they habited

Present Continuous
I am habiting
you are habiting
he/she/it is habiting
we are habiting
you are habiting
they are habiting

Present Perfect
I have habited
you have habited
he/she/it has habited
we have habited
you have habited
they have habited

Past Continuous
I was habiting
you were habiting
he/she/it was habiting
we were habiting
you were habiting
they were habiting

Past Perfect
I had habited
you had habited
he/she/it had habited
we had habited
you had habited
they had habited

Future
I will habit
you will habit
he/she/it will habit
we will habit
you will habit
they will habit

Future Perfect
I will have habited
you will have habited
he/she/it will have habited
we will have habited
you will have habited
they will have habited

Future Continuous
I will be habiting
you will be habiting
he/she/it will be habiting
we will be habiting
you will be habiting
they will be habiting

Present Perfect Continuous
I have been habiting
you have been habiting
he/she/it has been habiting
we have been habiting
you have been habiting
they have been habiting

Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been habiting
you will have been habiting
he/she/it will have been habiting
we will have been habiting
you will have been habiting
they will have been habiting

Past Perfect Continuous
I had been habiting
you had been habiting
he/she/it had been habiting
we had been habiting
you had been habiting
they had been habiting

Conditional
I would habit
you would habit
he/she/it would habit
we would habit
you would habit
they would habit

Past Conditional
I would have habited
you would have habited
he/she/it would have habited
we would have habited
you would have habited
they would have habited

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	habit - an established custom; "it was their habit to dine at 7 every evening"wontcustom, tradition - a specific practice of long standing
	2.	habit - (psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior 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"; "long use had hardened him to it"usecustom, usage, usance - accepted or habitual practiceritual - stereotyped behaviorsecond nature - acquired behavior that is practiced so long it seems innatepsychological science, psychology - the science of mental lifecleanliness - the habit of keeping free of superficial imperfections
	3.	habit - a distinctive attire worn by a member of a religious orderattire, garb, dress - clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion; "formal attire"; "battle dress"frock - a habit worn by clericsmonastic habit - a long loose habit worn by monks in a monasterynun's habit - a long loose habit worn by nuns in a conventfaith, religion, religious belief - a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny; "he lost his faith but not his morality"
	4.	habit - the general form or mode of growth (especially of a plant or crystal); "a shrub of spreading habit"growing, growth, ontogenesis, ontogeny, maturation, development - (biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level; "he proposed an indicator of osseous development in children"
	5.	habit - attire that is typically worn by a horseback rider (especially a woman's attire)riding habitattire, garb, dress - clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion; "formal attire"; "battle dress"jodhpur breeches, jodhpurs, riding breeches - flared trousers ending at the calves; worn with riding bootsriding boot - a boot without laces that is worn for riding horses; part of a riding habit
	6.	habit - excessive use of drugs drug abuse, substance abusemisuse, abuse - improper or excessive use; "alcohol abuse"; "the abuse of public funds"alcohol abuse, alcoholic abuse, alcoholism abuse - excessive use of alcohol and alcoholic drinks
Verb	1.	habit - put a habit onapparel, clothe, enclothe, garb, garment, raiment, tog, habilitate, fit out, dress - provide with clothes or put clothes on; "Parents must feed and dress their child"

habit

noun1. mannerism, custom, way, practice, manner, characteristic, tendency, quirk, propensity, foible, proclivity He has an endearing habit of licking his lips.2. custom, rule, practice, tradition, routine, convention, mode, usage, wont, second nature It had become a habit with her to annoy him.3. addiction, weakness, obsession, dependence, compulsion, fixation After twenty years as a chain smoker, he has given up the habit.4. dress, costume, garment, apparel, garb, habiliment, riding dress She emerged having changed into her riding habit.habit of mind disposition, character, nature, make-up, constitution, frame of mind In accent, mannerism and habit of mind he appeared East European.Quotations
"Habit is a great deadener" [Samuel Beckett Waiting for Godot]
"It is hard to teach an old dog new tricks" [William Camden Remains Concerning Britain]
"Habit with him was all the test of truth,"
"`It must be right; I've done it from my youth.'" [George Crabbe The Borough]
"The habits of life form the soul, and the soul forms the countenance" [Honoré De Balzac The Abbé Birotteau]
"The regularity of a habit is generally in proportion to its absurdity" [Marcel Proust Remembrance of Things Past]Proverbs
"Old habits die hard"

habit

noun1. A habitual way of behaving:consuetude, custom, habitude, manner, practice, praxis, usage, usance, use, way, wont.2. The physical or constitutional characteristics of a person:build, constitution, habitus, physique.3. Clothing worn by members of a religious order:robe, vestment.

Translations

习惯服装习性

habit

(ˈhӕbit) noun1. something which a person does usually or regularly. the habit of going for a walk before bed; an irritating habit of interrupting.习惯2. a tendency to do the same things that one has always done. I did it out of habit.习性3. clothes. a monk's habit.服装habitual (həˈbitjuəl) adjective1. having a habit of doing, being etc (something). He's a habitual drunkard.习惯的2. done etc regularly. He took his habitual walk before bed.惯常的habitually (həˈbitjuəli) adverb惯常地from force of habit because one is used to doing (something). I took the cigarette from force of habit.由于习惯而做某事get (someone) into the habit of, get (someone) out of the habit of to make (a person) start or stop doing (something) as a habit. I wish I could get out of the habit of biting my nails; You must get your children into the habit of cleaning their teeth. 沾染（戒除）一种习惯

habit

→ 习惯zhCN

habit

creature of habit

One who prefers the comfort and reliability of routine and habitual behavior. My brother is far too much a creature of habit to be up for something like backpacking across Europe. I know we're told to shuck our routines and live spontaneously, but I'm a creature of habit—it's just easier when you know exactly how each day will pan out.See also: creature, habit, of

break a/the habit

To stop doing a routine action or activity. I struggled to break the habit of biting my nails, but getting regular manicures helped.See also: break, habit

by force of habit

Because one does or has done something habitually. Used to describe an unconscious mistake that results from following one's routine rather than choosing the correct action for the circumstances. After living next door to Anna for 50 years, I call our new neighbor "Anna" by force of habit.See also: by, force, habit, of

force of habit

An impulse to do something because one does or has done it habitually. Used to describe an unconscious mistake that results from following one's routine rather than choosing the correct action for the circumstances. After living next door to Anna for 50 years, I call our new neighbor "Anna" by force of habit. A: "Why did you just turn left? We're going to the bank." B: "Force of habit. That's the way I take to work."See also: force, habit, of

Why break the habit of a lifetime?

A rhetorical question expressing doubt that someone will change their bad habit. Typically said after that person has announced their intention to stop such a habit. A: "That's it. That's my last cigarette." B: "Why break the habit of a lifetime?"See also: break, habit, of, why

kick the habit

slang To overcome an addiction, typically to drugs. It took gum, patches, and counseling, but I've finally kicked the habit—no more cigarettes. Unfortunately, the nature of addiction means that kicking the habit isn't as simple as just wanting to stop.See also: habit, kick

kick the (something)

slang To overcome an addiction to something. It took gum, patches, and even hypnosis, but I've finally kicked the habit. Unfortunately, the physical nature of heroin addiction means that kicking the habit isn't as simple as just wanting to stop. After saying such horrible things to my parents, I decided it was finally time to kick the booze for good.See also: kick

make a habit of (doing something)

To follow a routine in which one does something habitually. I've made a habit of doing 50 pushups every morning when I get out of bed. If you make a habit of investing some of your spare income, you'll be pleasantly surprised how much can build up.See also: habit, make, of

old habits die hard

It's difficult to stop performing actions that have been established as habits or routines. Even though we're all grown up, my mother still insists on cooking and doing laundry for me and all my siblings. I guess old habits die hard. Even years after retiring from the Marines, old habits die hard. I still can't sit down for a meal without eating it as quickly as possible.See also: die, habit, hard, old

bad habits die hard

Bad habits or unhealthy lifestyle choices that people have become very accustomed to are especially difficult to change or give up. Likely an adaptation of the more common "old habits die hard." I've read all the literature, I know all the health warnings, and I'm aware of how much I spend each day on cigarettes, but still I can't resist the urge to buy another pack. Bad habits die hard. Even as a grown adult, he still bites his nails when he's not paying attention. I guess bad habits really do die hard.See also: bad, die, habit, hard

shake a/the habit

1. slang To overcome an addiction, typically to drugs. It took gum, patches, and counseling, but I've finally shaken the habit—no more cigarettes. Unfortunately, the nature of addiction means that shaking the habit isn't as simple as just wanting to stop.2. To stop any kind of habitual behavior. I had a hard time shaking the habit of snoozing my alarm every morning.See also: habit, shake

mickey mouse habit

old-fashioned Any low-level addiction that is not considered very serious or dangerous. Sir, our clinic is focused on treating severe cases of addiction—we don't accept patients with mickey mouse habits. I just smoke a little dope in the evenings to help me relax—just a little mickey mouse habit, that's all.See also: habit, mickey, mouse

nose habit

An addiction to or habitual use of narcotics that one snorts up one's nostrils, most commonly cocaine. She developed an expensive nose habit working on Wall Street. I had a bit of a nose habit during college, but I gave all that up after I graduated.See also: habit, nose

break a habit

and break the habit; break one's habitto end a habit. I was not able to break the habit of snoring. It's hard to break a habit that you have had for a long time.See also: break, habit

by force of habit

owing to a tendency to do something that has become a habit. After I retired, I kept getting up and getting dressed each morning by force of habit.See also: by, force, habit, of

kick a habit

and kick the habit; shake the habit; shake a habitto break a habit. It's hard to kick a habit, but it can be done. I stopped biting my nails. I used to drink coffee every morning, but I kicked the habit.See also: habit, kick

knock the habit

to stop using drugs; to break a drug addiction. I just can't knock the habit. He tried to knock the habit by drinking lots of booze.See also: habit, knock

make a habit of something

to do something so often that it becomes a habit. You mustn't make a habit of interrupting. I make a habit of counting my change.See also: habit, make, of

Old habits die hard.

Prov. People find it difficult to change their accustomed behavior. Joan retired last year, but she still gets up as early as she used to when she had to go to work. Old habits die hard.See also: die, habit, hard, old

kick a habit

Also, kick it; kick the habit. Overcome or give up habitual use, especially of narcotics. For example, Smoking is addictive; it's not easy to kick, or If he doesn't kick the habit, he may not make it through school. This idiom uses kick in the sense of "get rid of." [First half of 1900s] See also: habit, kick

old habits die hard

COMMON People say old habits die hard to mean that people often do not like to change things that they have been doing for a long time. Despite ideas of equality, old habits die hard and women still carry the main burden of looking after home and family. The Council had introduced a few small changes, but old habits die hard. Note: You can use other words instead of habit. Women are still unequal in socialist countries and old attitudes die hard. They are the first to admit that old national prejudices die hard. Note: Die-hard is used to describe people who continue to support a person or a belief that is no longer popular with most people. The band broke up in 1970 and die-hard fans have been waiting for a reunion ever since. A few diehard conservatives cling to traditional ideology.See also: die, habit, hard, old

creature of habit

a person who follows an unvarying routine.See also: creature, habit, of

kick the habit

stop engaging in a habitual practice. informal 1992 Economist Perhaps it is time for ex-French West Africa to choose its own forms of government…and kick the habit of turning to France whenever trouble starts. See also: habit, kick

a creature of ˈhabit

a person who always does certain things at certain times: My grandfather is a real creature of habit — he likes his meals at the same time every day.See also: creature, habit, of

old ˌhabits, traˌditions, etc. die ˈhard

used to say that things change very slowly: ‘Even though she’s retired, she still gets up at 6 a.m.’ ‘Well, I guess old habits die hard.’ ▶ ˈdiehard noun, adj.: A few diehards are trying to stop the reforms. ♢ diehard supporters of the exiled kingSee also: die, hard, old

force of ˈhabit

a tendency always to do things in a certain way because you have always done them in that way: I don’t know why I check all the locks every time I leave the house. It’s force of habit, I suppose.See also: force, habit, of

make a ˈhabit/ˈpractice of something

do something regularly: I don’t usually make a practice of staying up so late, but there was a programme on TV I wanted to watch.See also: habit, make, of, practice, something

kick the ˈhabit, ˈdrug, ˈbooze, etc.

stop doing something harmful that you have done for a long time: According to research, only one smoker in a hundred is able to kick the habit without some kind of help.See also: kick

habit

n. an addiction to a drug. There are many treatment programs to help with drug habits.

kick the habit

tv. to voluntarily end any habit or custom, especially a drug habit. (see also knock the habit.) She tried and tried to kick the habit. See also: habit, kick

knock the habit

tv. to stop using drugs; to break a drug addiction. (see also kick the habit.) I just can’t knock the habit. See also: habit, knock

mickey mouse habit

n. a trivial drug habit. (Drugs.) Nothing to it. Just a little mickey mouse habit. I can stop any time I want. See also: habit, mickey, mouse

nose habit

n. an addiction to sniffed drugs, usually heroin or cocaine. (Drugs.) One sniff of that white powder and she’ll get a nose habit, for sure. See also: habit, nose

kick the habit

Slang To free oneself of an addiction, as to narcotics or cigarettes.See also: habit, kick

habit

hab·it

habit

hab•it

hab·it

Habit

habit

habit

habit

habit

habit

habit

habit

creature of habit

break a/the habit

by force of habit

force of habit

Why break the habit of a lifetime?

kick the habit

kick the (something)

make a habit of (doing something)

old habits die hard

bad habits die hard

shake a/the habit

mickey mouse habit

nose habit

break a habit

by force of habit

kick a habit

knock the habit

make a habit of something

Old habits die hard.

kick a habit

old habits die hard

creature of habit

kick the habit

a creature of ˈhabit

old ˌhabits, traˌditions, etc. die ˈhard

force of ˈhabit

make a ˈhabit/ˈpractice of something

kick the ˈhabit, ˈdrug, ˈbooze, etc.

habit

kick the habit

knock the habit

mickey mouse habit

nose habit

kick the habit

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habit

Habit

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habit, habit of growth

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Patient discussion about habit

Habit

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HABIT

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Synonyms for habit

noun mannerism

Synonyms

noun custom

Synonyms

noun addiction

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noun dress

Synonyms

phrase habit of mind

Synonyms

Synonyms for habit