{To address the ball} (Golf), to take aim at the ball,
adjusting the grip on the club, the attitude of the body,
etc., to a convenient position. Adenoid \Ad"e*noid\, n.
(Med.)
A swelling produced by overgrowth of the adenoid tissue in
the roof of the pharynx; -- usually in pl.
And this good knight his way with me addrest.
--Spenser.
2. To prepare or make ready. [Obs.]
His foe was soon addressed. --Spenser.
Turnus addressed his men to single fight. --Dryden.
The five foolish virgins addressed themselves at the
noise of the bridegroom's coming. --Jer. Taylor.
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.
--Macaulay.
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. --Dryden.
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?
--Addison.
The representatives of the nation addressed the
king. --Swift.
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. (Com.) To consign or intrust to the care of another, as
agent or factor; as, the ship was addressed to a merchant
in Baltimore.
{To address one's self to}.
(a) To prepare one's self for; to apply one's self to.
(b) To direct one's speech or discourse to.
Young Turnus to the beauteous maid addrest.
--Dryden.
Note: The intransitive uses come from the dropping out of the
reflexive pronoun.
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. --Addison.
7. Skill; skillful management; dexterity; adroitness.
Syn: Speech; discourse; harangue; oration; petition; lecture;
readiness; ingenuity; tact; adroitness.