habit

Etymology 1

From Middle English habit, from Latin habitus (“condition, bearing, state, appearance, dress, attire”), from habeō (“I have, hold, keep”). Replaced Middle English abit, from Old French abit, itself from the same Latin source. Displaced native Old English þēaw.

noun

1. An action performed on a regular basis.
   It’s become a habit of mine to have a cup of coffee after dinner.
   Irregular bedtimes may disrupt healthy brain development in young children, according to a study of intelligence and sleeping habits. ¶ Going to bed at a different time each night affected girls more than boys, but both fared worse on mental tasks than children who had a set bedtime, researchers found. 2013-07-19, Ian Sample, “Irregular bedtimes may affect children's brains”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 6, page 34
2. An action performed repeatedly and automatically, usually without awareness.
   By force of habit, he dressed for work even though it was holiday.
3. An addiction.
   kick the habit
   He has a 10-cigar habit.
   Another white boy band / They're happy on demand / Everything is planned / Until the singer gets a habit 2000, “I'm With Stupid”, in WYSIWYG, performed by Chumbawamba

Etymology 2

From Middle English habiten, from Old French habiter, from Latin habitāre, present active infinitive of habitō (“I dwell, abide, keep”), frequentative of habeō (“I have, hold, keep”); see have.

verb

1. (transitive) To clothe.
   Here I began my shopping, was interviewed by dressmakers, and naturally had much to do to habit myself for civilized life again. 1887, Harriet W. Daly, Digging, Squatting, and Pioneering Life in the Northern Territory of South Australia, page 132
2. (transitive, archaic) To inhabit.

noun

1. A long piece of clothing worn by monks and nuns.
   It’s interesting how Catholic and Buddhist monks both wear habits.
2. A piece of clothing worn for a specific activity; a uniform.
   The new riding habits of the team looked smashing!
   Sidesaddle riding habits were prestigious tailored sportswear appropriate for the equestrian pursuits of the truly wealthy. 2015, Alison Matthews David, Fashion Victims: The Damages of Dress Past and Present, page 34
3. (archaic) Outward appearance; attire; dress.
   […]it was always my fate to choose for the worse, so I did here; for having money in my pocket and good clothes upon my back, I would always go on board in the habit of a gentleman; and so I neither had any business in the ship, or learned to do any. 1719, Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe
4. (botany, mineralogy) Form of growth or general appearance and structure of a variety or species of plant or crystal.