habit

n.

1. Tendency to repeated action

   disposition, way, fashion, manner, propensity, bent, turn, gravitation, proclivity, inclination, addiction, impulsion, predisposition, susceptibility, weakness, bias, proneness, fixed attitude, persuasion, second nature, penchant; see also attitude 2, inclination 1.

2. A customary action

   custom, usage, wont, mode, practice, rule; see also custom 1.

3. An obsession

   addiction, fixation, hang-up*; see obsession.

4. Dress

   vestments, costume, riding costume, habiliment; see clothes.

habit refers to an act repeated so often by an individual that it has become automatic with him his habit of tugging at his ear in perplexity; practice also implies the regular repetition of an act but does not suggest that it is automatic the practice of reading in bed; custom applies to any act or procedure carried on by tradition and often enforced by social disapproval of any violation the custom of dressing for dinner; usage refers to custom or practice that has become sanctioned through being long established the meanings of words are established by usage; wont is a literary or somewhat archaic equivalent for practiceit was his wont to rise early