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.
Phrases and idioms:
cure-all a panacea; a universal remedy.
Derivatives:
curer n.
Etymology: ME f. OF curer f. L curare take care of f. cura care