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.
2. To discourse on; to handle in a particular manner, in writing or speaking; as, to treat a subject diffusely.
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.
4. To negotiate; to settle; to make terms for.
To treat the peace, a hundred senators
Shall be commissioned. Dryden.
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.
6. To subject to some action; to apply something to; as, to treat a substance with sulphuric acid. Ure.
7. To entreat; to beseech. Ld. Berners.