1. To aim; to direct. [Obs.] Chaucer.
"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.