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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Indulge


INDULGE, verb transitive indulj'. [Latin indulgeo; tolero.]

1. To permit to be or to continue; to suffer; not to restrain or oppose; as, to indulge sloth; to indulge the passions; to indulge pride, selfishness or inclinations.

2. To gratify, negatively; not to check or restrain the will, appetite or desire; as, to indulge children in amusements.

3. To gratify, positively; to grant something not of right, but as a favor; to grant in compliance with wishes or desire.

Yet, yet a moment, one dim ray of light

INDULGE, dread Chaos and eternal Night!

4. In general, to gratify; to favor; to humor; to yield to the wishes of; to withhold restraint from.

It is remarked by Johnson, that if the matter of indulgence is a single thing, it has with before it; if it is a habit, it has in. He indulged himself with a glass of wine; he indulges himself in sloth or intemperance.

INDULGE, verb transitive indulj'. To permit to enjoy or practice; or to yield to the enjoyment or practice of, without restraint or control; as, to indulge in sin, or in sensual pleasure. This form of expression is elliptical, a pronoun being omitted; as, to indulge myself or himself.

Most men are more willing to indulge in easy vices, than to practice laborious virtues.

1. To yield; to comply; to be favorable. [Little Used.]