address

Definition

Direction.

Etymology

From Middle English adressen (“to raise erect, adorn”), from Old French adrecier (“to straighten, address”) (modern French adresser), from Proto-Romance *addīrēctiāre, from ad- (“to; towards”) + *dīrēctiāre (“to guide; to direct”), from Latin dīrēctus (“straight; right”), from dīrigō (“to lay straight; to direct”), itself from regō (“to govern, to rule”). Cognate with Spanish aderezar (“to garnish; dress (food); to add spices”).

Example Sentences

• "[H]e was thus agreeable, and I neither insensible of his Perfections, nor displeased at his Addresses to me […]."
• "a man of pleasing or insinuating address"
• "Mr. Gregson, who had listened to this address with considerable impatience, could contain himself no longer."