curse

—curser, n.

/kerrs/, n., v., cursed or curst, cursing.

n.

1. the expression of a wish that misfortune, evil, doom, etc., befall a person, group, etc.

2. a formula or charm intended to cause such misfortune to another.

3. the act of reciting such a formula.

4. a profane oath; curse word.

5. an evil that has been invoked upon one.

6. the cause of evil, misfortune, or trouble.

7. something accursed.

8. Slang. the menstrual period; menstruation (usually prec. by the).

9. an ecclesiastical censure or anathema.

v.t.

10. to wish or invoke evil, calamity, injury, or destruction upon.

11. to swear at.

12. to blaspheme.

13. to afflict with great evil.

14. to excommunicate.

v.i.

15. to utter curses; swear profanely.

[bef. 1050; ME curs (n.), cursen (v.), OE curs (n.), cursian (v.), of disputed orig.]

Syn. 1, 9. imprecation, execration, fulmination, malediction. 5. misfortune, calamity, trouble. 5, 6. bane, scourge, plague, affliction, torment. 10-12. CURSE, BLASPHEME, SWEAR are often interchangeable in the sense of using profane language. However, CURSE is the general word for the heartfelt invoking or angry calling down of evil on another: They called down curses on their enemies. To BLASPHEME is to speak contemptuously or with abuse of God or of sacred things: to blaspheme openly. To SWEAR is to use the name of God or of some holy person or thing as an exclamation to add force or show anger: to swear in every sentence. 13. plague, scourge, afflict, doom.

Ant. 1, 9. blessing, benediction. 10. bless.

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