First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1treat
verb \ˈtrēt\
: to deal with or think about (something) especially in a particular way
: to think of and act toward (someone or something) in a specified way
: to pay for someone's food, drink, or entertainment
Full Definition of TREAT
intransitive verb
1
: to discuss terms of accommodation or settlement : negotiate
2
: to deal with a matter especially in writing : discourse —usually used with of <a book treating of conservation>
3
: to pay another's expenses (as for a meal or drink) especially as a compliment or as an expression of regard or friendship
transitive verb
1
2
a : to bear oneself toward : use <treat a horse cruelly> b : to regard and deal with in a specified manner —usually used with as <treat the matter as confidential>
3
a : to provide with free food, drink, or entertainment <they treated us to lunch> b : to provide with enjoyment or gratification
4
: to care for or deal with medically or surgically <treat a disease>
5
: to act upon with some agent especially to improve or alter <treat a metal with acid>
— treat·er noun
See treat defined for English-language learners
See treat defined for kids
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Origin of TREAT
Middle English treten, from Anglo-French treter, traiter, traitier, from Latin tractare to drag about, handle, deal with, frequentative of trahere to drag, pull
Related to TREAT
- Synonyms
- act (toward), be (to), deal (with), handle, serve, use, do by
2treat
noun
: an occurrence in which you pay for someone's food, drink, or entertainment
: something pleasant or amusing that is unusual or unexpected
: something that tastes good and that is not eaten often
Full Definition of TREAT
1
a : an entertainment given without expense to those invited b : the act of providing another with free food, drink, or entertainment <dinner will be my treat>
2
: an especially unexpected source of joy, delight, or amusement <seeing her again was a treat>
See treat defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TREAT
1651
TREATED Defined for Kids
1treat
verb \ˈtrēt\
treat·edtreat·ing
Definition of TREAT for Kids
1
: to handle, deal with, use, or act toward in a usually stated way <Treat this as secret.> <… “Don't you think that is a cruel way to treat Wanda?” … — Eleanor Estes, The Hundred Dresses>
2
: to pay for the food or entertainment of <I'll treat you to dinner.>
3
: to give medical or surgical care to : use medical care on <The patient was treated for fever.> <Doctors sometimes treat cancer with drugs.>
4
: to expose to some action (as of a chemical) <Gardeners treat soil with lime.>
2treat
noun
Definition of TREAT for Kids
1
: an often unexpected or unusual source of pleasure or amusement <The day at the park was a treat.>
2
: a food that tastes very good and is not eaten very often
3
: an instance of paying for someone's food or entertainment <Dinner is my treat.>
Medical Dictionary
treat
transitive verb \ˈtrēt\
Medical Definition of TREAT
: to care for or deal with medically or surgically : deal with by medical or surgical means <treated their diseases> <treats a patient>
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