GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Curse (k?rs), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cursed (k?rst) or Curst; p. pr. & vb. n. Cursing.] [AS. cursian, corsian, perh. of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. korse to make the sign of the cross, Sw. korsa, fr. Dan. & Sw. kors cross, Icel kross, all these Scand. words coming fr. OF.  crois, croiz, fr. L. crux cross. Cf. Cross.]
   1. To call upon divine or supernatural power to send injury upon; to imprecate evil upon; to execrate.
   
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   Thou shalt not . . . curse the ruler of thy people. Ex. xxii. 28.
   
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   Ere sunset I'll make thee curse the deed. Shak.
   
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   2. To bring great evil upon; to be the cause of serious harm or unhappiness to; to furnish with that which will be a cause of deep trouble; to afflict or injure grievously; to harass or torment.
   
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   On impious realms and barbarous kings impose
   
   Thy plagues, and curse 'em with such sons as those. Pope.
   
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   To curse by bell, book, and candle. See under Bell.
   
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2.       
   Curse, v. i. To utter imprecations or curses; to affirm or deny with imprecations; to swear.
   
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   Then began he to curse and to swear. Matt. xxi. 74.
   
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   His spirits hear me,
   
   And yet I need must curse. Shak.
   
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3.       
   Curse, n. [AS. curs. See Curse, v. t.]
   1. An invocation of, or prayer for, harm or injury; malediction.
   
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   Lady, you know no rules of charity,
   
   Which renders good for bad, blessings for curses. Shak.
   
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   2. Evil pronounced or invoked upon another, solemnly, or in passion; subjection to, or sentence of, divine condemnation.
   
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    The priest shall write these curses in a book. Num. v. 23.
   
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   Curses, like chickens, come home to roost. Old Proverb.
   
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   3. The cause of great harm, evil, or misfortune; that which brings evil or severe affliction; torment.
   
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   The common curse of mankind, folly and ignorance. Shak.
   
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   All that I eat, or drink, or shall beget,
   
   Is propagated curse. Milton.
   
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   The curse of Scotland (Card Playing), the nine of diamonds. -- Not worth a curse. See under Cress.
   
   Syn. -- Malediction; imprecation; execration. See Malediction.
   
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