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)
|