• CURSE

1. v. exsecratione uti. To curse anybody, exsecrari aliquem or in aliquem: devovere aliquem, also with the addition of diris (to devote anybody with execrations to the infernal gods): detestari in caput alicujus minas et pericula (to call down on anybody’s head terrible dangers, Liv., 39, 10, 2): detestari in caput alicujus iram deorum (to call on him the wrath of the gods, Plin., Ep., 2, 20, 6): alicui pestem exoptare (Cic.). Whenever they see you, they curse you, te - cum viderunt, tamquam auspicium malum detestantur. ☞ Detestari aliquem, by itself, means merely “to detest anybody,” but never “to curse him :” male precari alicui (to wish him evil), diras (poenas) imprecari alicui. [SYN. in CURSE, s.] To utter impious words, *impias voces jactare, emittere: diras voces addere.

2.

• s. Malediction, exsecratio (by which the wrath of the gods is called down on anybody): devotio (by which anybody is excluded from everything holy, and devoted to the infernal gods): imprecatio (by which the wrath of the gods, and evil generally, is called down on anybody): the curse of the gods (inasmuch as it rests upon anybody), irae coelestes (Vid: Liv., 9, 1).
• An imprecatory expression, exsecratio: dirae: maledictum (malediction) :
• By Metonymy, cause of mischief, pestis; pernicies. (The words are found in this connection and order.) pestis ac pernicies. ☞ “Lues” and “vomica” have not this meaning of “causing destruction or ruin.”