addiction

noun

1. 1

   (Roman law) a formal award by a magistrate of a thing or person to another person (as the award of a debtor to his creditor); a surrender to a master

   under Roman law addiction was the justification for slavery

2. 2

   an abnormally strong craving

3. 3

   being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming (especially alcohol or narcotic drugs)