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Wendy
SFN Regular
USA
614 Posts |
 Posted - 02/01/2005 : 13:22:14 [Permalink]
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From Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc. (emphasis mine)
quote:
Main Entry: ad·dic·tion
Pronunciation: &-'dik-sh&n
Function: noun
: compulsive physiological need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be physically, psychologically, or socially harmful —compare HABITUATION, SUBSTANCE ABUSE
From WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University (again, emphasis mine)
quote:
addiction
n 1: being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming (especially alcohol or narcotic drugs) [syn: dependence, dependency, habituation] 2: an abnormally strong craving 3: (Roman law) a formal award by a court sentence of a thing or person to another (as of a debtor to his creditor); a surrender to a master; "under Roman law addiction was the justification for slavery"
Personally, I prefer the second definition.
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Millions long for immortality who don't know what to do on a rainy afternoon.
-- Susan Ertz
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