treat

[[t]trit[/t]]

v. t.

1) to act or behave toward in some specified way:

to treat someone with respect[/ex]

2) to consider or regard in a specified way:

to treat a matter as unimportant[/ex]

3) to deal with in a specified way; handle

4) med to deal with (a disease, patient, etc.) in order to relieve or cure

5) to subject to some agent or action in order to bring about a particular result:

to treat a substance with an acid[/ex]

6) to provide with food, entertainment, gifts, etc., at one's own expense

7) to provide with as a source of pleasure or enjoyment

8) to deal with in speech or writing; discuss

9) to deal with or represent artistically, esp. in some specified manner or style:

to treat a theme realistically[/ex]

10) to deal with a subject in speech or writing; discourse (usu. fol. by of)

11) to give, or bear the expense of, a treat

12) to carry on negotiations with a view to a settlement; negotiate

13) entertainment, food, drink, etc., given by way of compliment or as an expression of friendly regard

14) anything that affords particular pleasure or enjoyment

15) the act of treating

16) one's turn to treat

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Etymology: 1250–1300; ME treten (v.) < OF tretier, traitier < L tractāre to drag, handle, freq. of trahere to drag. Cf. tractable treat′er, n.