indulge

[in-duhlj] /ɪnˈdʌldʒ/
verb (used without object), indulged, indulging.
1.
to yield to an inclination or desire; allow oneself to follow one's will (often followed by in):
Dessert came, but I didn't indulge. They indulged in unbelievable shopping sprees.
verb (used with object), indulged, indulging.
2.
to yield to, satisfy, or gratify (desires, feelings, etc.):
to indulge one's appetite for sweets.
3.
to yield to the wishes or whims of; be lenient or permissive with:
to indulge a child.
4.
to allow (oneself) to follow one's will (usually followed by in):
to indulge oneself in reckless spending.
5.
Commerce. to grant an extension of time, for payment or performance, to (a person, company, etc.) or on (a bill, note, etc.).
Origin
1630-40; < Latin indulgēre to be lenient (toward), accede, take pleasure (in)
Related forms
indulger, noun
indulgingly, adverb
preindulge, verb (used with object), preindulged, preindulging.
quasi-indulged, adjective
reindulge, verb, reindulged, reindulging.
unindulged, adjective
unindulging, adjective
Synonyms
3. pamper, favor. See humor.
Examples from the web for indulge
  • No others will be so trusting or willing to indulge your ever present camera, your fumbling around with lights, and your mistakes.
  • We indulge our dogs in many things that they enjoy-why can't a bit of real food be good for them.
  • And you may run into critics who can't see past that weakness and indulge in a nuclear veto of your candidacy.
  • Sometimes at the end of a meeting, you're given a chance to indulge in some mild boasting and cheerleading.
  • He tried to put me at ease, yet he also refused to pamper me or indulge my fears.
  • Once you've mocked romantic comedy clichés, you are free to indulge in them.
  • Professional wrestling offers fans an almost unparalleled opportunity to indulge aggressive and violent impulses.
  • They do not export many goods to the rest of the world and import a lot of other goods to indulge in.
  • But if you are prepared to meander and occasionally indulge, then there is a wealth to discover within these pages.
  • The strikers have also taken advantage of the government's willingness to indulge nationalist sentiment.
British Dictionary definitions for indulge

indulge

/ɪnˈdʌldʒ/
verb
1.
when intr, often foll by in. to yield to or gratify (a whim or desire for): to indulge a desire for new clothes, to indulge in new clothes
2.
(transitive) to yield to the wishes of; pamper: to indulge a child
3.
(transitive) to allow oneself the pleasure of something: at Christmas he liked to indulge himself
4.
(transitive) (commerce) to allow (a debtor) an extension of time for payment of (a bill, etc)
5.
(intransitive) (informal) to take alcoholic drink, esp to excess
Derived Forms
indulger, noun
indulgingly, adverb
Word Origin
C17: from Latin indulgēre to concede, from -dulgēre, probably related to Greek dolikhos long, Gothic tulgus firm
Word Origin and History for indulge
v.

1630s, "to grant as a favor;" 1650s, of both persons and desires, "to treat with unearned favor;" a back-formation from indulgence, or else from Latin indulgere "to be complaisant." Related: Indulged; indulging.