accurse

transitive verb

ac·​curse
ə-ˈkərs
accursed; accursed ə-ˈkərst How to pronounce accurse (audio)
-ˈkər-səd;
-ˈkər-səd usually when a stressed syllable follows without pause
 or accurst
ə-ˈkərst
 ; accursing; accurses
: to consign to destruction, misery, or evil by a curse : anathematize
—now used chiefly as past participle
looked upon her as a thing accursed—Charles Kingsley

Word History

Etymology

Middle English acursen, going back to Old English acursian, from a-, perfective prefix + cursian "to curse entry 2"

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of accurse was before the 12th century

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Dictionary Entries Near accurse

accurize

accurse

accursed

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Accurse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accurse. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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