Address /(ăd*drĕs")/

Ad·dress

Address

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Addressed; p. pr. & vb. n. Addressing

  1. To aim; to direct. [Obs.]
    And this good knight his way with me addrest.
  2. To prepare or make ready. [Obs.]
    His foe was soon addressed.
    Turnus addressed his men to single fight.
    The five foolish virgins addressed themselves at the noise of the bridegroom's coming.
  3. Reflexively: To prepare one's self; to apply one's skill or energies (to some object); to betake.
    These men addressed themselves to the task.
  4. To clothe or array; to dress. [Archaic]
    Tecla . . . addressed herself in man's apparel.
    — Jewel.
  5. To direct, as words (to any one or any thing); to make, as a speech, petition, etc. (to any one, an audience).
    The young hero had addressed his players to him for his assistance.
  6. To direct speech to; to make a communication to, whether spoken or written; to apply to by words, as by a speech, petition, etc., to speak to; to accost.
    Are not your orders to address the senate?
    The representatives of the nation addressed the king.
  7. To direct in writing, as a letter; to superscribe, or to direct and transmit; as, he addressed a letter.
  8. To make suit to as a lover; to court; to woo.
  9. To consign or intrust to the care of another, as agent or factor; as, the ship was addressed to a merchant in Baltimore. (Com.)

Phrases & Compounds
To address one's self to
To prepare one's self for; to apply one's self to.
To address the ball
to take aim at the ball, adjusting the grip on the club, the attitude of the body, etc., to a convenient position.

Address

v. i.
  1. To prepare one's self. [Obs.]
  2. To direct speech. [Obs.]
    Young Turnus to the beauteous maid addrest.

Address

n.
  1. Act of preparing one's self. [Obs.]
  2. Act of addressing one's self to a person; verbal application.
  3. A formal communication, either written or spoken; a discourse; a speech; a formal application to any one; a petition; a formal statement on some subject or special occasion; as, an address of thanks, an address to the voters.
  4. Direction or superscription of a letter, or the name, title, and place of residence of the person addressed.
  5. Manner of speaking to another; delivery; as, a man of pleasing or insinuating address.
  6. Attention in the way one's addresses to a lady.
  7. Skill; skillful management; dexterity; adroitness.