/ kɜːs; NAmE kɜːrs/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
(also cuss ) [ C ] a rude or offensive word or phrase that some people use when they are very angry
SYN oath , swear word :
He muttered a curse at the other driver.
2.
[ C ] a word or phrase that has a magic power to make sth bad happen :
The family thought that they were under a curse .
—compare hex
3.
[ C ] something that causes harm or evil :
the curse of drug addiction
Noise is a curse of modern city life.
4.
the curse [ sing. ] ( old-fashioned , informal ) menstruation
■ verb
1.
[ v ] to swear :
He hit his head as he stood up and cursed loudly.
2.
[ vn ] curse (sb/sth) (for sth) to say rude things to sb or think rude things about sb/sth :
She cursed her bad luck.
He cursed himself for his stupidity.
3.
[ vn ] to use a magic word or phrase against sb in order to harm them :
Legend has it that the whole village had been cursed by a witch.
—compare hex
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PHRASAL VERBS
- be cursed with sth
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English , of unknown origin.