I. ˈtrēt 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
II. noun
Date: 1651
1.
a. : an entertainment given without expense to those invited
b. : the act of providing another with free food, drink, or entertainment
dinner will be my treat
2. : an especially unexpected source of joy, delight, or amusement
seeing her again was a treat