• Curse

    Pronunciation

    • UK IPA: /kɜːs/
    • US IPA: /kɝːs/
    • Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)s

    Origin

    From Middle English, from Late Old English curs ("curse"), of unknown origin.

    Is the following supposed to be the etymology for the menstrual sense?

    “Courses” monthly flows - Bailey’s Dictionary 1761

    Noun

    curse

    (plural curses)
    1. A supernatural detriment or hindrance; a bane.
    2. A prayer or imprecation that harm may befall someone.
    3. The cause of great harm, evil, or misfortune; that which brings evil or severe affliction; torment.
      • ShakespeareThe common curse of mankind, folly and ignorance.
    4. A vulgar epithet.
      • 2013-06-14, Sam Leith, Where the profound meets the profane, Swearing doesn't just mean what we now understand by "dirty words". It is entwined, in social and linguistic history, with the other sort of swearing: vows and oaths. Consider for a moment the origins of almost any word we have for bad language – "profanity", "curses", "oaths" and "swearing" itself.
    5. (slang) A woman's menses.

    Derived terms

    Full definition of curse

    Verb

    1. (transitive) To place a curse upon (a person or object).
      • 1910, Emerson Hough, The Purchase Price Chapter 1, Captain Edward Carlisle...felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze,...; he could not tell what this prisoner might do. He cursed the fate which had assigned such a duty, cursed especially that fate which forced a gallant soldier to meet so superb a woman as this under handicap so hard.
    2. To call upon divine or supernatural power to send injury upon; to imprecate evil upon; to execrate.
      • Bible, Exodus xxii. 28Thou shalt not...curse the ruler of thy people.
    3. (transitive) To speak or shout a vulgar curse or epithet.
    4. (intransitive) To use offensive or morally inappropriate language.
      • Bible, Matthew xxi. 74Then began he to curse and to swear.
      • William Shakespeare (1564-1616)His spirits hear me,
        And yet I need must curse.
    5. 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.
      • Alexander Pope (1688-1744)On impious realms and barbarous kings impose
        Thy plagues, and curse 'em with such sons as those.

    Synonyms

    • (intransitive, use offensive language) swear

    Antonyms

    Anagrams

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