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curst

 - 6 dictionary results

curst

  [kurst]
Use curst in a Sentence
–verb
1. a pt. and pp. of curse.
–adjective
2. cursed.
Related forms:
curstly, adverb
curstness, noun

curse

  [kurs] noun, verb, cursed or curst, curs⋅ing.
–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. 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.
–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.
–verb (used without object)
15. to utter curses; swear profanely.
Origin:
bef. 1050; ME curs (n.), cursen (v.), OE curs (n.), cursian (v.), of disputed orig.

Related forms:
curser, noun

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.

Antonyms:
1, 9. blessing, benediction. 10. bless.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To curst
curse   (kûrs)   
n.  

    1. An appeal or prayer for evil or misfortune to befall someone or something.

    2. The evil or misfortune that comes in or as if in response to such an appeal: bewailed the curse of ill health.

  2. One that is accursed.

  3. A source or cause of evil; a scourge: "Selfishness is the greatest curse of the human race" (William Ewart Gladstone).

  4. A profane word or phrase; a swearword.

  5. Ecclesiastical A censure, ban, or anathema.

  6. Slang Menstruation. Used with the.

v.   cursed or curst (kûrst), curs·ing, curs·es

v.   tr.

  1. To invoke evil or misfortune upon; damn.

  2. To swear at.

  3. To bring evil upon; afflict: was cursed with crippling arthritis.

  4. Ecclesiastical To put under a ban or an anathema; excommunicate.

v.   intr.
To utter curses; swear.

[Middle English, from Old English curs.]
curs'er n.
curs·ed   (kûr'sĭd, kûrst)   
adj.  So wicked and detestable as to deserve to be cursed.
curs'ed·ly adv., curs'ed·ness n.
curst   (kûrst)   
v.  A past tense and a past participle of curse.
adj.  Variant of cursed.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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. The curse "menstruation" is from 1930.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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