curse (v.) Copy link Outline I. Trans.1. exsecror, 1 (the most gen. term2. dētestor, 1 (strictly to appeal to the gods as witnesses against some one3. dēvŏveo, vōvi, vōtum, 2 (strictly to devote to the infernal gods4. Expr. by subs. imprecatio, dirae, etc., and various verbsII. Intrans. • curse (v.): I. Trans.: 1. exsecror, 1 (the most gen. term: to declare accursed, usu. with an imprecation of evil): thee they hate, on thee they imprecate destruction; thee they c., te oderunt, tibi pestem exoptant, te exsecrantur, Cic. Also foll. by in and acc.: c.ing himself because he had not, etc., exsecrans in se ac suum caput, quod, etc., Liv. Join: exsecrari et male precari, Cic. 2. dētestor, 1 (strictly to appeal to the gods as witnesses against some one: also sometimes = to deprecate, Cic.): he c.d Ambiorix with every kind of imprecation, omnibus precibus Ambiorigem detestatus est, Caes.: to c. the cause and the author of the calamity, causam et auctorem cladis d., Tac.: Ov. 3. dēvŏveo, vōvi, vōtum, 2 (strictly to devote to the infernal gods: v. to devote): Theseus c.d his own son, Theseus natum suum devovit, Ov.: a c.d tree, devota arbos, Hor.: to c. one's own arts, suas artes d., Ov. 4. Expr. by subs. imprecatio, dirae, etc., and various verbs: v. foll. art. II. Intrans.: to use imprecations: *imprecatione, exsecratione uti, impia precari, impias jactare voces.