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noun
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.
EXPANDan evil that has been invoked upon one.
verb (used with object)
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.
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Cursing
is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
verb (used without object)
15.
to utter curses; swear profanely.
Origin:
before 1050; Middle English curs (noun), cursen (v.), Old English curs (noun), cursian (v.), of disputed orig.
before 1050; Middle English curs (noun), cursen (v.), Old English curs (noun), cursian (v.), of disputed orig.
Related forms
curs·er, noun
out·curse, verb (used with object), -cursed, -curs·ing.
un·curs·ing, adjective
Synonyms
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.
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.
Antonyms
1, 9. blessing, benediction. 10. bless.
1, 9. blessing, benediction. 10. bless.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To cursing
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
curse
O.E. curs "a prayer that evil or harm befall one," of uncertain origin, perhaps O.Fr. curuz "anger," or L. cursus "course." Connection with cross is unlikely. No similar word exists in Gmc., Romance, or Celtic. Meaning "to swear profanely" is from c.1230. Curses as a histrionic exclamation is from 1885.
EXPANDThe curse "menstruation" is from 1930.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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