What’s in a word? ...

A psychiatrist who treated Anna Nicole Smith for drug dependency testified Tuesday the former Playmate fit the legal definition of an addict.

However, under questioning by a judge, Dr. Nathalie Maullin said she never used the words “addict” or “addiction” when discussing the celebrity model’s problems with her, her personal doctor Sandeep Kapoor or her boyfriend-lawyer Howard K.Stern.

Stern, Kapoor and Dr. Khristina Eroshevich are charged with conspiring to provide controlled substances to Smith. All have pleaded not guilty.

The charging document in the case specifically states that Stern, Kapoor and Eroshevich “acted with knowledge that Anna Nicole Smith was an addict.” Prosecutors are trying to prove the defendants had that knowledge.

Smith died in February 2007 of an accidental overdose.

Maullin, who treated Smith during a brief hospital stay in April, 2006, was quizzed by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert J. Perry on the addiction issue.

“She was never trying to get high?” he asked.

“I never thought she was trying to get high. I think she wanted to tune out,” the psychiatrist said.

Winfrey, Palin sitdown...

Sarah Palin is going to sit down with Oprah Winfrey.

Harpo Productions announced Tuesday that the former governor of Alaska and Republican vice presidential candidate will appear on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” on Nov. 16.

According to Harpo, the interview will be Palin’s first about her new book, “Going Rogue: An American Life,” and it will be the first time Palin and Winfrey will meet.

Palin’s book was No. 4 on Amazon. com’s best-seller list on Tuesday. It’s slated to be released Nov. 17, the day after Palin’s interview with Winfrey.

Catching “Big Brother’ ...

The ninth-season winner of the reality TV show “Big Brother” told a federal agent that he used his $500,000 prize to buy thousands of oxycodone pills and resell them, authorities said.

Adam Jasinski, 31, of Delray Beach, Fla., has been charged with attempting to sell 2,000 pills in Massachusetts to a government witness.

Federal prosecutors said Jasinski was arrested Saturday after he flew to Boston and showed the witness a sock containing two plastic bags filled with oxycodone, a powerful painkiller that is a popular street drug because of its euphoric effects.

Jasinski won $500,000 on “Big Brother 9” in April 2008. The CBS reality show features contestants who live under constant surveillance and vote once a week to evict each other in hopes of becoming the last houseguest standing and winning the grand prize.

He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine on a charge of possession of oxycodone pills with intent to distribute.