CURSE

I. noun Etymology: Middle English curs, from Old English Date: before 12th century a prayer or invocation for harm or injury to come upon one ; imprecation , something that is ~d or ac~d, evil or misfortune that comes as if in response to imprecation or as retribution, a cause of great harm or misfortune ; torment , menstruation , II. verb (~d; cursing) Date: before 12th century transitive verb to use profanely insolent language against ; blaspheme , 2. to call upon divine or supernatural power to send injury upon , to execrate in fervent and often profane terms , to bring great evil upon ; afflict , intransitive verb to utter imprecations ; swear