- OE. adressen to raise erect, adorn, OF. adrecier, to straighten, address, F. adresser, fr. àL. ad) + OF. drecier, F. dresser, to straighten, arrange. See Dressv.
- To aim; to direct.ObsAnd this good knight his way with me addrest.
- To prepare or make ready.ObsHis 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.
- 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.
- To clothe or array; to dress.ArchaicTecla . . . addressed herself in man's apparel.
- 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.
- 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.
- To direct in writing, as a letter; to superscribe, or to direct and transmit; as, he addressed a letter.
- To make suit to as a lover; to court; to woo.
- ComTo consign or intrust to the care of another, as agent or factor; as, the ship was addressed to a merchant in Baltimore.
