1. To prepare; to make suitable dispositions for.

Turnus addressed his men to single fight.

2. To direct words or discourse; to apply to by words; as, to address a discourse to an assembly; to address the judges.

3. To direct in writing; as a letter; or to direct and transmit; as he addressed a letter to the speaker. Sometimes it is used with the reciprocal pronoun, as, he addressed himself to the speaker, instead of, he addressed his discourse. The phrase is faulty; but less so than the following. To such I would address with this most affectionate petition.

Young Turnus to the beauteous maid aldrest.

The latter is admissible in poetry, as an elliptical phrase.

4. To present an address, as a letter of thanks or congratulation, a petition, or a testimony of respect; as, the legislature addressed the president.

5. To court or make suit as a lover.

6. In commerce, to consign or entrust to the care of another, as agent or factor; as, the ship was addressed to a merchant in Baltimore.

, n.

1. A speaking to; verbal application; a formal manner of speech; as, when introduced, the president made a short address.

2. A written or formal application; a message of respect, congratulation, thanks, petition, _c.; as, an address of thanks; an officer is removable upon the address of both houses of assembly.

3. Manner of speaking to another; as, a man of pleasing address.

4. Courtship; more generally in the plural, addresses; as, he makes or pays his addresses to a lady.

5. Skill; dexterity; skillful management; as, the envoy conducted the negotiation with address.

6. Direction of a letter, including the name, title, and place of residence of the person for whom it is intended. hence these particulars are denominated, a man's address.