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in·dulge

(ĭn-dŭlj)

v. in·dulged, in·dulg·ing, in·dulg·es

v.tr.

a. To yield to (a desire or whim); gratify: indulge a craving for chocolate.

b. To yield to the desires or whims of (someone), often excessively: We indulged our daughter on her birthday. See Synonyms at pamper.

2. Roman Catholic Church To grant an ecclesiastical indulgence or dispensation to.

v.intr.

1. To indulge oneself: eyed the desserts but didn't indulge.

2. To engage or take part, especially freely or avidly: indulged in outrageous behavior; indulged in all the latest fads.

[Latin indulgēre; see dlegh- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

in·dulger n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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