Part 2684

<hw>Curse</hw> <tt>(k?rs)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p.p.</tt> <er>Cursed</er> <tt>(k?rst)</tt> or <er>Curst</er>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Cursing</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[AS. <ets>cursian</ets>, <ets>corsian</ets>, perh. of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. <ets>korse</ets> to make the sign of the cross, Sw. <ets>korsa</ets>, fr. Dan. & Sw. <ets>kors</ets> cross, Icel <ets>kross</ets>, all these Scand. words coming fr. OF. <ets>crois</ets>, <ets>croiz</ets>, fr. L. <ets>crux</ets> cross. Cf. <er>Cross</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To call upon divine or supernatural power to send injury upon; to imprecate evil upon; to execrate.</def>

<blockquote>Thou shalt not . . . <b>curse</b> the ruler of thy people. <i>Ex. xxii. 28.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Ere sunset I'll make thee <b>curse</b> the deed. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>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.</def>

<blockquote>On impious realms and barbarous kings impose Thy plagues, and <b>curse</b> 'em with such sons as those. <i>Pope.</i></blockquote>

<cs><col>To curse by bell, book, and candle</col>. <cd>See under <er>Bell</er>.</cd></cs>

<h1>Curse</h1> <Xpage=357>

<hw>Curse</hw>, <tt>v. i.</tt> <def>To utter imprecations or curses; to affirm or deny with imprecations; to swear.</def>

<blockquote>Then began he to <b>curse</b> and to swear. <i>Matt. xxi. 74.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>His spirits hear me, And yet I need must <b>curse</b>. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Curse</h1> <Xpage=357>

<hw>Curse</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[AS. <ets>curs</ets>. See <er>Curse</er>, <tt>v. t.</tt>]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>An invocation of, or prayer for, harm or injury; malediction.</def>

<blockquote>Lady, you know no rules of charity, Which renders good for bad, blessings for <b>curses</b>. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Evil pronounced or invoked upon another, solemnly, or in passion; subjection to, or sentence of, divine condemnation.</def>

<blockquote> The priest shall write these <b>curses</b> in a book. <i>Num. v. 23.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote><b>Curses</b>, like chickens, come home to roost. <i>Old Proverb.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>The cause of great harm, evil, or misfortune; that which brings evil or severe affliction; torment.</def>

<blockquote>The common <b>curse</b> of mankind, folly and ignorance. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>All that I eat, or drink, or shall beget, Is propagated <b>curse</b>. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<cs><col>The curse of Scotland</col> <fld>(Card Playing)</fld>, <cd>the nine of diamonds.</cd> -- <col>Not worth a curse</col>. <cd>See under <er>Cress</er>.</cd></cs>

<syn>Syn. -- Malediction; imprecation; execration. See <er>Malediction</er>.</syn>

<h1>Cursed</h1> <Xpage=357>

<hw>Curs"ed</hw> <tt>(k?rs"?d)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Deserving a curse; execrable; hateful; detestable; abominable.</def>

<blockquote>Let us fly this <b>cursed</b> place. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>This <b>cursed</b> quarrel be no more renewed. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Cursedly</h1> <Xpage=357>

<hw>Curs"ed*ly</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt> <def>In a cursed manner; miserably; in a manner to be detested; enormously.</def> <mark></mark>

<h1>Cursedness</h1> <Xpage=357>