I. ˈke(ə)r, ˈkeə, ˈka(a)(ə)r, ˈka(a)ə noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English caru, cearu; akin to Old High German kara lament, Gothic kara care, Latin garrire to chatter, talk, Greek gērys voice, Ossetic zar song
1. : suffering of mind : grief , sorrow
a care -marked face
2.
a. : a burdened or disquieted state of blended preoccupation, uncertainty, apprehension or fear, and consideration of expedients
oppressed by sickness, grief, or care — William Wordsworth
b. : a cause for such state
3. : serious attention ; especially : attention accompanied by caution, pains, wariness, personal interest, or responsibility
his gentlemen conduct me with all care to some securest lodging — John Keats
4. : regard coming from desire or esteem : inclination , wish — usually used with of or for
a care for the common good
5. : charge , supervision , management : responsibility for or attention to safety and well-being
under a doctor's care
the care of all the churches — 2 Cor 11:28 (Authorized Version)
: custody : temporary charge — used especially in the phrase care of or in care of on mail sent to a person through another person or other agency
I addressed him care of general delivery
— abbr. c/o
6. : a person or thing that is an object of attention, anxiety, or solicitude
the flower garden was her special care
Synonyms:
solicitude , concern , worry , anxiety : care designates a troubled, preoccupied, or oppressed mental condition induced by responsibilities and duties or by doubts and apprehensions
the king … most sovereign slave of care — H.D.Thoreau
she was free … to go where she liked and do what she liked. She had no responsibilities, no cares — Arnold Bennett
solicitude designates an apprehensive or thoughtful protectiveness, attentiveness, or regard for well-being or success, usually another's
with motherly solicitude, he insisted that Tom get to his feet — Sherwood Anderson
no amount of parental solicitude can give a boy or girl the same advantages at home as are to be enjoyed in a good school — Bertrand Russell
concern , the antonym of indifference, means primarily an interest in one's well-being or safety but is likely to suggest apprehension or doubt about difficulties, dangers, or failures
but your friends, Señora, would feel less concern for your safety if you kept them [valuables] further from your person — Mary Austin
she really did feel concern for her fellow creatures, for the rural poor upon whom it was not the custom of Church or State to waste sympathy or help — Agnes Repplier
worry suggests troubled fretting about adverse developments from uncertain conditions
thought that now all the worries were over … a most soothing certitude — Joseph Conrad
alternating worry with quiet qualms — Robert Browning
anxiety adds a strong suggestion of dread and distress in the expectation of an evil issue or outcome
I shut my eyes, but anxiety forced me to open them again … we were not twenty yards from the rocks — Frederick Marryat
when the child told her first lie her foster-mother was nearly sick with dismay and anxiety — Margaret Deland
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English caren, from Old English carian, from caru, cearu, n.
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to feel trouble or anxiety
cared for his safety
b. : to feel interest, concern, or solicitude
care about freedom
did not much care about her children's hunger
: feel resentment or irritation
the child doesn't care if his toy is taken away
: consider as a matter of relevance or interest or as having a bearing on the issue or event
I do not care about what you believe; I am certain I am right
— usually used with a negative and with for or about
2.
a. : to give care (as to the safety, well-being, or maintenance of a charge) : provide for or attend to needs or perform necessary personal services (as for a patient or a child)
care for the sick
: give proper use and maintenance
know how to care properly for a car
— used with for
b. : to afford accomodation
parking space to care for all the cars that come
3.
a. : to have a liking, fondness, or taste
never cared for a human creature before — Margaret Deland
doesn't care for ice cream
: have regard or respect
I cared for what he had to say — Edna S.V.Millay
b. : to have an inclination, wish, or disposition — usually used with a complementary infinitive
few men cared to contradict him
or with for
would you care for some apples
transitive verb
1. dialect : to take care of
2.
a. : to be concerned about
nobody cares what I do
b. : to be concerned to the extent of
care a damn
3. : to long for : wish
if you care to go
•
- not care
III. verb
•
- care less