curse

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an evil spell

   We like to joke that some wicked spirit must have put a curse on this kitchen; the oven never works right!

2. 2
   verb

   to utter obscenities or profanities

   After hitting my thumb, I could not help cursing.

3. 3
   verb

   to heap obscenities upon

   The taxi driver cursed the rude passenger.

4. 4
   noun

   A supernatural detriment or hindrance; a bane.

   If ye will not heare, and if yee will not lay it to heart, to giue glory vnto my name, saith the Lord of hostes; I will euen send a curse vpon you, and will curse your blessings: yea, I haue cursed them already, because yee doe not lay it to heart.

5. 5
   noun

   The cause of great harm, evil, or misfortune; that which brings evil or severe affliction; torment.

   The common curſe of mankinde, Folly and Ignorance[…]

6. 6
   noun

   A vulgar epithet.

   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.

7. 7
   verb

   To place a curse upon (a person or object).

   And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out. And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

8. 8
   verb

   To call upon divine or supernatural power to send injury upon; to imprecate evil upon; to execrate.

   Thou ſhalt not[…]curſe the ruler of thy people.

Etymology

From Middle English cursen, corsen, coursen, from Old English corsian, cursian (“to curse”), from the noun (see above).