- address
-
I. verb
Etymology: Middle English adressen, from Anglo-French adrescer, from a- (from Latin ad-) + drescer to to direct, put right — more at dress
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. archaic
a. direct, aim
b. to direct to go ; send
2.
a. to direct the efforts or attention of (oneself) <will address himself to the problem> b. to deal with ; treat <intrigued by the chance to address important issues — I. L. Horowitz> 3. archaic to make ready; especially dress 4. a. to communicate directly <addresses his thanks to his host> b. to speak or write directly to; especially to deliver a formal speech to 5. a. to mark directions for delivery on <address a letter> b. to consign to the care of another (as an agent or factor) 6. to greet by a prescribed form 7. to adjust the club preparatory to hitting (a golf ball) 8. to identify (as a computer peripheral or memory location) by an address or a name for information transfer intransitive verb obsolete to direct one's speech or attentions • addresser noun II. noun Date: 1539 1. dutiful and courteous attention especially in courtship — usually used in plural 2. a. readiness and capability for dealing (as with a person or problem) skillfully and smoothly ; adroitness b. obsolete a making ready; also a state of preparedness 3. a. manner of bearing oneself <a man of rude address> b. manner of speaking or singing ; delivery 4. a formal communication; especially a prepared speech delivered to a special audience or on a special occasion 5. a. a place where a person or organization may be communicated with b. directions for delivery on the outside of an object (as a letter or package) c. the designation of place of delivery placed between the heading and salutation on a business letter d. the designation of a computer account from which one can send or receive e-mail 6. a preparatory position of the player and club in golf 7. a. a location (as in the memory of a computer) where particular information is stored b. a series of usually alphanumeric characters that specifies the storage location (as on a network or in a computer's memory) of particular information <an Internet address> Synonyms: see tact
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.