from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Treat \Treat\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Treated}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Treating}.] [{OE}. treten, OF. traitier, F. traiter, from L.
tractare to draw violently, to handle, manage, treat, v.
intens. from trahere, tractum, to draw. See {Trace}, v. t.,
and cf. {Entreat}, {Retreat}, {Trait}.]
1. To handle; to manage; to use; to bear one's self toward;
as, to treat prisoners cruelly; to treat children kindly.
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2. To discourse on; to handle in a particular manner, in
writing or speaking; as, to treat a subject diffusely.
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3. To entertain with food or drink, especially the latter, as
a compliment, or as an expression of friendship or regard;
as, to treat the whole company.
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4. To negotiate; to settle; to make terms for. [Obs.]
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To treat the peace, a hundred senators
Shall be commissioned. --Dryden.
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5. (Med.) To care for medicinally or surgically; to manage in
the use of remedies or appliances; as, to treat a disease,
a wound, or a patient.
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6. To subject to some action; to apply something to; as, to
treat a substance with sulphuric acid. --Ure.
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7. To entreat; to beseech. [Obs.] --Ld. Berners.
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