accustom

Imagine a wild horse – skittish and afraid of everything new. To accustom that horse to a saddle and rider takes time and patience, slowly letting it get used to the feeling until it's no longer frightening. That's what "accustom" means: to make someone or something accept something as normal through repeated exposure. You might accustom yourself to an early wake-up call for a new job, or a city dweller might struggle to accustom themselves to the quiet of the countryside. It's about building comfort where there was once unfamiliarity.

To accustom someone or something is to help them become familiar with and accepting of something that was initially strange, unpleasant, or difficult. It's more than just exposure; it implies a gradual process of adaptation until the thing in question no longer causes discomfort or surprise.

Think about learning to ride a bike. At first, it feels wobbly and scary. But with practice – repeated attempts and getting used to the sensation – you accustom yourself to balancing, steering, and pedaling. Eventually, it becomes second nature.

"Accustom" can be used in several ways. You can accustom *someone or something to something ("She accustomed the puppy to the crate"), you can accustom yourself to something ("He accustomed himself to cold showers"), or you can say someone or something is (or becomes) accustomed to* something ("The plant is accustomed to dry conditions"). It often implies a degree of resilience – the ability to adjust and thrive despite challenges.

Unlike simply "getting used to," accustom often suggests a deliberate effort, either by oneself or another, to overcome initial resistance. A seasoned traveler might be accustomed to navigating unfamiliar cultures, while someone new to veganism is still accustoming themselves to the different types of cuisine. It's about building tolerance and comfort through repeated experience.