Indulges

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ɪnˈdʌld͡ʒɪz/

Definitions

  1. To allow oneself to enjoy pleasures or desires | To give in to one's cravings or whims without restraint | To pamper or gratify oneself or others often excessively
  2. To grant oneself the opportunity to enjoy or satisfy personal desires | To yield to cravings or passions without self-control | To lavish attention or pleasure on oneself or others frequently and generously
  3. To take the time to enjoy or partake in personal desires or pleasures | To surrender to one's whims or appetites without holding back | To provide oneself or others with indulgent care or satisfaction often with little restraint

Etymology: The verb in question traces its origins to the Latin word "indulgere," which meant "to be kind or lenient to." This Latin root itself carries the sense of granting favor or yielding to desire, a nuance that survived into modern usage. The word entered English in the late Middle Ages, around the 15th century, initially carrying a sense closer to "to be lenient" or "to give way to." Over time, the meaning shifted somewhat toward the idea of yielding to one's own desires or whims, often with a connotation of self-gratification. This transition likely reflects changing social attitudes about personal pleasure and restraint, especially as Renaissance and later Enlightenment ideas about individual experience took hold. The modern sense of allowing oneself a pleasure or luxury, sometimes despite better judgment, grew from this evolving nuance. The formation of the verb in English involves the prefix "in-," meaning "in" or "into," combined with a root related to kindness or granting, from Latin "dulgere." The suffix "-es" marks the third-person singular present tense form, typical of English verbs. This construction preserves much of the original Latin sense while adapting to English grammatical patterns. Thus, the word’s journey from Latin to English encapsulates a subtle shift from general leniency or kindness to a more personal, often indulgent, yielding to desires or pleasures. This reflects broader cultural shifts in how self-control and enjoyment have been understood and valued across centuries.

Synonyms: satisfies, gratifies, coddles, pamper, indulge

Antonyms: restrains, denies, deprives