Hāb'it1, n.
n. [Fr. habit, Pr. habit, habiti, Sp. & Pg. habito, It. abito, from Lat. habitus, state, dress, from habere, to have, be in a condition.]
Sense 1. The usual condition of a person or thing regarded as that which is had or retained; ordinary state, either natural or acquired; especially, physical temperament; as, a full, lax, or costive habit of body.
Sense 2. Fixed or established custom; ordinary course of conduct; hence, prominently, the involuntary tendency to perform certain actions which is acquired by their frequent repetition; as, habit is second nature; also, prevailing dispositions, feelings, and actions which are right or wrong; moral character. “A man of very shy, retired habits.” Irving.
Sense 3. Outward appearance; attire; dress; habiliment; hence, a garment; a particular kind of outer covering; especially, a closely fitting coat worn by ladies; as, a riding habit.
The scenes are old, the habits are the same We wore last year. Dryden.
There are, among the statues, several of Venus, in different habits. Addison.
Habit of plants (Bot.), the general form or aspect of plants, or of their mode of growth; the conformity of plants of the same kind in structure and growth. Martyn.
Synonyms—Practice; mode; manner; way; custom.—HABIT, CUSTOM. Habit is an internal principle which leads us to do easily, naturally, and with growing certainty, what we do often; custom is external, being habitual use or the frequent repetition of the same act. The two operate reciprocally on each other. The custom of giving produces a habit of liberality; habits of devotion promote the custom of going to church. Custom also supposes an act of the will, selecting given modes of procedure; habit is a law of our being, a kind of “second nature” which grows up within us.
Upheld by old repute, Consent, or custom. Milton.
How use doth breed a habit in a man. Shak.