ADDRESS

To aim; to direct. [Obs.] Chaucer. And this good knight his way with me addrest. Spenser.

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.

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.

To clothe or array; to dress. [Archaic] Tecla . . . addressed herself in man's apparel. Jewel.

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.

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.

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.

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.

To prepare one's self. [Obs.] "Let us address to tend on Hector's heels." Shak.

To direct speech. [Obs.] Young Turnus to the beauteous maid addrest. Dryden.

Act of preparing one's self. [Obs.] Jer Taylor.

Act of addressing one's self to a person; verbal application.

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.

Direction or superscription of a letter, or the name, title, and place of residence of the person addressed.

Manner of speaking to another; delivery; as, a man of pleasing or insinuating address.

Attention in the way one's addresses to a lady. Addison.

Skill; skillful management; dexterity; adroitness.