Curse (k?rs), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Cursed (k?rst) or Curst; p. pr. & vb. n.Cursing.] [AS. cursian, corsian, perh. of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. korse to make the sign of the cross, Sw. korsa, fr. Dan. & Sw. kors cross, Icel kross, all these Scand. words coming fr. OF. crois, croiz, fr. L. crux cross. Cf. Cross.] 1. To call upon divine or supernatural power to send injury upon; to imprecate evil upon; to execrate.
Thou shalt not... curse the ruler of thy people.
Ex. xxii. 28.
Ere sunset I'll make thee curse the deed.
Shak.
2. To bring great evil upon; to be the cause of serious harm or unhappiness to; to furnish with that which will be a cause of deep trouble; to afflict or injure grievously; to harass or torment.
On impious realms and barbarous kings impose
Thy plagues, and curse 'em with such sons as those.
Pope.
To curse by bell, book, and candle. See under Bell.