Treat \Treat\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Treated; p. pr. & vb. n. Treating.]

[OE. treten, OF. traitier, F. traiter, from L. tractare to draw violently, to handle, manage, treat, v. intens. from trahere, tractum, to draw. See Trace, v. t., and cf. Entreat, Retreat, Trait.]

1. To handle; to manage; to use; to bear one's self toward; as, to treat prisoners cruelly; to treat children kindly.

2. To discourse on; to handle in a particular manner, in writing or speaking; as, to treat a subject diffusely.

3. To entertain with food or drink, especially the latter, as a compliment, or as an expression of friendship or regard; as, to treat the whole company.

4. To negotiate; to settle; to make terms for. [Obs.]

To treat the peace, a hundred senators Shall be commissioned. --Dryden.

5. (Med.) To care for medicinally or surgically; to manage in the use of remedies or appliances; as, to treat a disease, a wound, or a patient.

6. To subject to some action; to apply something to; as, to treat a substance with sulphuric acid. --Ure.

7. To entreat; to beseech. [Obs.]

--Ld. Berners.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)