1530s (implied in addicted), from Latin addictus, past participle of addicere "to deliver, award, yield; give assent, make over, sell," figuratively "to devote, consecrate; sacrifice, sell out, betray" from ad- "to" (see ad-) + dicere "say, declare" (see diction), but also "adjudge, allot." Earlier in English as an adjective, "delivered, devoted" (1520s). Related: Addicted; addicting.
addict ad·dict (ə-dĭkt') v.ad·dict·ed, ad·dict·ing, ad·dicts To become or cause to become compulsively and physiologically dependent on a habit-forming substance. n. (ād'ĭkt) One who is addicted, as to narcotics.
