v. & n.
v. 1 tr. (often foll. by of) restore (a person or animal) to health (was cured of pleurisy). 2 tr. eliminate (a disease, evil, etc.). 3 tr. preserve (meat, fruit, tobacco, or skins) by salting, drying, etc. 4 tr. a vulcanize (rubber). b harden (concrete or plastic). 5 intr. effect a cure. 6 intr. undergo a process of curing.
n. 1 restoration to health. 2 a thing that effects a cure. 3 a course of medical or healing treatment. 4 a the office or function of a curate. b a parish or other sphere of spiritual ministration. 5 a the process of curing rubber or plastic. b (with qualifying adj.) the degree of this. cure-all a panacea; a universal remedy. curer n.
[ ME f. OF curer f. L curare take care of f. cura care ]