Curse \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.

Thou shalt not . . . curse the ruler of thy people. --Ex. xxii. 28.

Ere sunset I'll make thee curse the deed. --Shak.

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.

On impious realms and barbarous kings impose Thy plagues, and curse 'em with such sons as those. --Pope.

To curse by bell, book, and candle. See under Bell.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Curse \Curse\, v. i. To utter imprecations or curses; to affirm or deny with imprecations; to swear.

Then began he to curse and to swear. --Matt. xxi. 74.

His spirits hear me, And yet I need must curse. --Shak.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Curse \Curse\, n. [AS. curs. See Curse, v. t.]

1. An invocation of, or prayer for, harm or injury; malediction.

Lady, you know no rules of charity, Which renders good for bad, blessings for curses. --Shak.

2. Evil pronounced or invoked upon another, solemnly, or in passion; subjection to, or sentence of, divine condemnation.

The priest shall write these curses in a book. --Num. v. 23.

Curses, like chickens, come home to roost. --Old Proverb.

3. The cause of great harm, evil, or misfortune; that which brings evil or severe affliction; torment.

The common curse of mankind, folly and ignorance. --Shak.

All that I eat, or drink, or shall beget, Is propagated curse. --Milton.

The curse of Scotland (Card Playing), the nine of diamonds.

Not worth a curse. See under Cress.

Syn: Malediction; imprecation; execration. See Malediction.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)