v. & n.
--v.
1. tr. act or behave towards or deal with (a person or thing) in a certain way (treated me kindly; treat it as a joke).
2 tr. deal with or apply a process to; act upon to obtain a particular result (treat it with acid).
3 tr. apply medical care or attention to.
4 tr. present or deal with (a subject) in literature or art.
5 tr. (often foll. by to) provide with food or drink or entertainment at one's own expense (treated us to dinner).
6 intr. (often foll. by with) negotiate terms (with a person).
7 intr. (often foll. by of) give a spoken or written exposition.
--n.
1. an event or circumstance (esp. when unexpected or unusual) that gives great pleasure.
2 a meal, entertainment, etc., provided by one person for the enjoyment of another or others.
3 (prec. by a) extremely good or well (they looked a treat; has come on a treat).
Derivatives:
treatable adj. treater n. treating n.
Etymology: ME f. AF treter, OF traitier f. L tractare handle, frequent. of trahere tract- draw, pull