n. & v.
n. 1 worry, anxiety. 2 an occasion for this. 3 serious attention; heed, caution, pains (assembled with care; handle with care). 4 a protection, charge. b Brit. = child care. 5 a thing to be done or seen to.
v.intr. 1 (usu. foll. by about, for, whether) feel concern or interest. 2 (usu. foll. by for, about, and with neg. expressed or implied) feel liking, affection, regard, or deference (don't care for jazz). 3 (foll. by to + infin.) wish or be willing (should not care to be seen with him; would you care to try them?). care for provide for; look after. care-label a label attached to clothing, with instructions for washing etc. care of at the address of (sent it care of his sister). for all one cares colloq. denoting uninterest or unconcern (for all I care they can leave tomorrow; I could be dying for all you care). have a care take care; be careful. I (etc.) couldn't (US could) care less colloq. an expression of complete indifference. in care Brit. (of a child) taken into the care of a local authority. take care 1 be careful. 2 (foll. by to + infin.) not fail or neglect. take care of 1 look after; keep safe. 2 deal with. 3 dispose of.
[ OE caru, carian, f. Gmc ]