— carer , n.
/kair/ , n. , v. , cared, caring .
n.
1. a state of mind in which one is troubled; worry, anxiety, or concern: He was never free from care.
2. a cause or object of worry, anxiety, concern, etc.: Their son has always been a great care to them.
3. serious attention; solicitude; heed; caution: She devotes great care to her work.
4. protection; charge: He is under the care of a doctor.
5. temporary keeping, as for the benefit of or until claimed by the owner: He left his valuables in the care of friends. Address my mail in care of the American Embassy.
6. grief; suffering; sorrow.
7. take care ,
a. be alert; be careful: Take care that you don't fall on the ice!
b. take care of yourself; goodbye: used as an expression of parting.
8. take care of ,
a. to watch over; be responsible for: to take care of an invalid.
b. to act on; deal with; attend to: to take care of paying a bill.
v.i.
9. to be concerned or solicitous; have thought or regard.
10. to be concerned or have a special preference (usually used in negative constructions): I don't care if I do.
11. to make provision or look out (usually fol. by for ): Will you care for the children while I am away?
12. to have an inclination, liking, fondness, or affection (usually fol. by for ): Would you care for dessert? I don't care for him very much.
v.t.
13. to feel concern about: He doesn't care what others say.
14. to wish; desire; like: Would you care to dance?
15. couldn't care less , could not care less; be completely unconcerned: I couldn't care less whether she goes to the party or not. Also, could care less .
[ bef. 900; (n.) ME; OE caru, cearu, c. Goth kara, OHG chara lament; (v.) ME caren, OE cearian, carian ]
Syn. 1. See concern. 3. To take CARE, PAINS, TROUBLE (to do something) implies watchful, conscientious effort to do something exactly right.
To take CARE implies the performance of one particular detail: She took care to close the cover before striking the match. To take PAINS suggests a sustained carefulness, an effort to see that nothing is overlooked but that every small detail receives attention: to take pains with fine embroidery. To take TROUBLE implies an effort that requires a considerable amount of activity and exertion: to take the trouble to make suitable arrangements.
Usage. 15. COULDN'T CARE LESS, a phrase used to express indifference, is sometimes heard as COULD CARE LESS, which ought to mean the opposite but is intended to be synonymous with the former phrase. Both versions are common mainly in informal speech.