ˈtrētmənt noun
( -s )
Etymology: treat (I) + -ment
1. : the action or manner of treating: as
a. : conduct or behavior towards another party (as a person, thing, or group)
regulations … for the treatment of all interned civilians — J.S.Pictet
b. : the action or manner of treating a patient medically or surgically
diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis
required immediate medical treatment
c. : subjection of something to the action of an agent or process
the treatment of water supplies to make them safely potable — A.C.Morrison
sewage treatment
d. : the action or manner of dealing with something often in a specified way
get capital gains treatment on income from a patent sale — J.T.Norman
views … on the proper treatment of the conquered southern states — Carol L. Thompson
a passage remarkable for its treatment of the age-old problem of freedom and authority — R.M.Weaver
e. : literary or artistic handling (as of a subject) especially in terms of style
two figures of sufficient importance to warrant treatment in separate chapters — R.A.Hall b.1911
the architectural treatment is based … on the domestic style of northern Italy — American Guide Series: Louisiana
f. : preventive guidance and corrective training especially of juvenile delinquents and youthful criminal offenders
2. : an instance of treating
the best treatments to date of several … bits of American history — John Bakeless
a series of upper sidewall treatments in the architectural orders — American Guide Series: New York
charges … $1 per treatment for occupational therapy — Journal American Medical Association
3. obsolete : entertainment , feast
accept such treatment as a swain affords — Alexander Pope
4. : something (as a fertilizer or preserver) used in treating
a seed disinfectant treatment
5. : an outline of the action of a proposed screenplay or television script that is considerably more detailed than a synopsis — compare scenario , script
6. : the techniques or actions customarily applied in a specified situation: as
a. : a pattern of actions (as insults, annoyances, or physical punishment) designed to punish or persuade
the new recruit got the treatment from a brutal sergeant
b. : a pattern of actions (as the bestowal of gifts and favors) designed to reward, encourage, or convince
getting the standard treatment of cocktail parties, press interviews and deals with advertisers — Time
c. : the provision (as by a shop or restaurant) of the goods and services associated with a usually specified fee or order
the full treatment is $250 and up — Lois Long