n.
Pronunciation: ' tr ē t
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English treten, from Anglo-French treter, traiter, traitier, from Latin tractare to drag about, handle, deal with, frequentative of trahere to drag, pull
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1 : to discuss terms of accommodation or settlement : NEGOTIATE
2 : to deal with a matter especially in writing : DISCOURSE ― usually used with of <a book treat ing of conservation>
3 : to pay another's expenses (as for a meal or drink) especially as a compliment or as an expression of regard or friendship
transitive verb
1 a : to deal with in speech or writing : EXPOUND b : to present or represent artistically c : to deal with : HANDLE <food is plentiful and treat ed with imagination ― Cecil Beaton>
2 a : to bear oneself toward : USE < treat a horse cruelly> b : to regard and deal with in a specified manner ― usually used with as < treat the matter as confidential>
3 a : to provide with free food, drink, or entertainment <they treat ed us to lunch> b : to provide with enjoyment or gratification
4 : to care for or deal with medically or surgically < treat a disease>
5 : to act upon with some agent especially to improve or alter < treat a metal with acid>
– treat · er noun