n. [ AS. curs. See Curse, v. t. ] 1. An invocation of, or prayer for, harm or injury; malediction. [ 1913 Webster ]

Lady, you know no rules of charity,
Which renders good for bad, blessings for curses. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Evil pronounced or invoked upon another, solemnly, or in passion; subjection to, or sentence of, divine condemnation. [ 1913 Webster ]

The priest shall write these curses in a book. Num. v. 23. [ 1913 Webster ]

Curses, like chickens, come home to roost. Old Proverb. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The cause of great harm, evil, or misfortune; that which brings evil or severe affliction; torment. [ 1913 Webster ]

The common curse of mankind, folly and ignorance. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

All that I eat, or drink, or shall beget,
Is propagated curse. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The curse of Scotland (Card Playing), the nine of diamonds. --
Not worth a curse. See under Cress.

Syn. -- Malediction; imprecation; execration. See Malediction. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Cursed r Curst; p. pr. & vb. n. Cursing. ] [ AS. cursian, corsian, perh. of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. korse to make the sign of the cross, Sw. korsa, fr. Dan. & Sw. kors cross, Icel kross, all these Scand. words coming fr. OF. crois, croiz, fr. L. crux cross. Cf. Cross. ] 1. To call upon divine or supernatural power to send injury upon; to imprecate evil upon; to execrate. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou shalt not . . . curse the ruler of thy people. Ex. xxii. 28. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ere sunset I'll make thee curse the deed. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

On impious realms and barbarous kings impose
Thy plagues, and curse 'em with such sons as those. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

To curse by bell, book, and candle. See under Bell. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To utter imprecations or curses; to affirm or deny with imprecations; to swear. [ 1913 Webster ]

Then began he to curse and to swear. Matt. xxi. 74. [ 1913 Webster ]

His spirits hear me,
And yet I need must curse. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Deserving a curse; execrable; hateful; detestable; abominable. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let us fly this cursed place. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

This cursed quarrel be no more renewed. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a cursed manner; miserably; in a manner to be detested; enormously. [ Low ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The state of being under a curse or of being doomed to execration or to evil. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Wickedness; sin; cursing. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Shrewishness. “My wife's cursedness.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who curses. [ 1913 Webster ]