Accurse is a term that is not commonly used in modern language, but it has an interesting history and meaning. It is a word that has been used for centuries, and it still holds relevance today. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of accurse, its origin, and its associations.
Definitions
Accurse is a verb that means to curse or to condemn someone or something. It is often used in a religious context, where it refers to the act of invoking a divine curse on someone or something. The term is also used in a more general sense to describe the act of wishing harm or misfortune on someone or something.
Origin
The word accurse has its roots in Old English, where it was spelled “acursian.” The word is derived from the Old English word “a-cursian,” which means to put under a curse. The word “a-” means “on” or “in,” while “cursian” means “to curse.” Over time, the word evolved into its current form, “accurse.”
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, accurse means “to pronounce a curse upon; to imprecate evil upon; to devote to destruction or misery.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “to curse with solemnity; to devote to destruction or evil by a curse.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines accurse as “to say magic words that are intended to harm someone or something.”
Associations
Accurse is often associated with religion and spiritual beliefs. In many cultures, the act of cursing someone or something is seen as a way of invoking divine justice or punishment. It is also associated with superstition and magic, where the use of curses and spells is believed to have real-world effects.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of accurse include curse, damn, hex, jinx, and bewitch. These words all refer to the act of wishing harm or misfortune on someone or something. They are often used interchangeably with accurse.
Antonyms
The antonyms of accurse are bless, praise, and sanctify. These words all refer to the act of invoking divine favor or protection on someone or something. They are the opposite of cursing or condemning.
The same root words
The same root words as accurse include curse, cursing, and cursed. These words all have their origins in the Old English word “cursian” and are related to the act of invoking a curse or condemnation.
Example Sentences
- The priest accurse the wicked man who had committed a heinous crime.
- The witch accurse the village, and soon after, a plague broke out.
- He was afraid to accurse his enemies, fearing that the curse might come back to haunt him.
- The old woman believed that her neighbor had accurse her garden, and so she sprinkled holy water around it to ward off evil spirits.