Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IN-DULGE', v.t. [indulj'; L. indulgeo. This word is compound, but the primitive simple verb is not known, nor the radical sense. If allied to G. and D. dulden, to bear, to tolerate, it is from the root of L. tolero.]

1. To permit to be or to continue; to suffer; not to restrain or oppose; as, to indulge sloth; to indulge the passions; to indulge pride, selfishness or inclinations.
2. To gratify, negatively; not to check or restrain the will, appetite or desire; as, to indulge children in amusements.
3. To gratify, positively; to grant something not of right, but as a favor; to grant in compliance with wishes or desire. Yet, yet a moment, one dim ray of light / Indulge, dread Chaos and eternal Night! Pope.
4. In general, to gratify; to favor; to humor; to yield to the wishes of; to withhold restraint from. It is remarked by Johnson, that if the matter of indulgence is a single thing, it has with before it; if it is a habit, it has in. He indulged himself with a glass of wine; he indulges himself in sloth or intemperance.