Dictionary entry

Cure

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Cure (kūr), n. [OF, cure care, F., also, cure, healing, cure of souls, L. cura care, medical attendance, cure; perh. akin to cavere to pay heed, E. cution. Cure is not related to care.] 1. Care, heed, or attention.

Of study took he most cure and most heed.

Chaucer.

Vicarages of greatcure, but small value.

Fuller.

2. Spiritual charge; care of soul; the office of a parish priest or of a curate; hence, that which is committed to the charge of a parish priest or of a curate; a curacy; as, to resign a cure; to obtain a cure.

The appropriator was the incumbent parson, and had the cure of the souls of the parishioners.

Spelman.

3. Medical or hygienic care; remedial treatment of disease; a method of medical treatment; as, to use the water cure.

4. Act of healing or state of being healed; restoration to health from disease, or to soundness after injury.

Past hope! pastcure! past help.

Shak.

I do cures to-day and to-morrow.

Luke xii. 32.

5. Means of the removal of disease or evil; that which heals; a remedy; a restorative.

Cold, hunger, prisons, ills without a cure.

Dryden.

The proper cure of such prejudices.

Bp. Hurd.