Cynthia asked about the
varied meanings of the word habit. Ultimately, it came from a Latin verb that
meant to have.
There was a bifurcation
of the base word in ancient Latin. One branch focused on the external features
of having and exhibiting: posture, demeanor, clothing, etc. The other branch
focused on internal elements: character, mentality, disposition, etc.
In English, habit meant
apparel in 1225. Later in that century, it came to be the word of choice for
religious garb. By the 15th century, it had transferred to
deportment. One’s mental and emotional components also came to the fore. By the
next century, it meant a settled practice, a customary way of acting. In our
day, it has come to mean an addiction. “Do you have a habit?” is a very serious
question, but historically, it could be rendered as “do you have a have?”
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