▪ I. cursing, vbl. n.
(ˈkɜːsɪŋ)
[-ing1.]
1. The utterance of words which consign to spiritual and temporal evil, the vengeance of the deity, the malign influence of fate, etc.; malediction, imprecation, damning.
| c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke xx. 47 Ðas onfoæð cursung mara [Rushw. Ðæt mara vel mast cursunge; Vulg. damnationem majorem]. 1388 Wyclif Dan. ix. 11 And cursyng, and wlatyng which is writun in the book of Moises..droppide on vs. 1535 Coverdale Mal. iv. 6 That I come not, and smyte the earth with cursynge. 1552 Abp. Hamilton Catech. (1884) 32 The malesonis waryingis or cursingis quhilk God..schoris to the transgressouris. |
† b. concr. The condition or place of damnation or perdition; hell. Obs.
| c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. v. 29 Ðon all lichoma ðin ᵹesendad beð in tintergo vel in cursung. Ibid. x. 28. |
2. The formal pronunciation of an ecclesiastical curse or anathema; excommunication.
| ? c 1120 Charter Pope Agatho (dated 680) in Cod. Dipl. V. 30 Hwa swa hit breket ealre biscope cursunge and eal cristene folces he hafe. Amen. c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 11 No bissop ne mai him chastien ne mid forbode, ne mid scrifte, ne mid cursinge. a 1300 Cursor M. 29482 (Cott.) Cursing twa-fald es, þe tan es mare, þe toþer lesse. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 130 Whan Thomas it wist, he did mak a cursyng. Roger he cursed first, þat corouned þe ȝong kyng. 1470–85 Malory Arthur i. iii, That they shold to london come by Cristmas vpon payne of cursynge. 1530 Palsgr. 211 Cursyng..excommunication. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 35 Forbidden upon paine of curssing. 1872 Ellacombe Ch. Bells Devon vii. 139 Early in the twelfth century..William of Winchester, by the authority of Celestine II..brought in the use of cursing with bell, book, and candle. |
3. Imprecation of evil; the profane use of imprecations in hatred or evil temper; blasphemy.
| c 1050 Spelman's Psalms cviii. 16 (C. MS.) & he lufode wyrᵹednysse [C. cursunge] & heo cume him, & he nolde bletsunga & heo bið afyrsad from him. a 1240 Lofsong in Cott. Hom. 205 Wreððe..cursunge, bac bitunge. 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 9116 Þy cursyng now sene hyt ys Wyþ veniaunce on þy owne flesshe. 1611 Bible Ps. lix. 12 For cursing and lying which they speake. a 1648 Ld. Herbert Life (1886) 215 He had heard that the King was much given to cursing. 1736 Berkeley Disc. Wks. III. 427 It is no common blasphemy..it is not simple cursing and swearing. 1847 Emerson Repr. Men Wks. I. 343 He will indulge himself with a little cursing and swearing. |
▪ II. ˈcursing, ppl. a.
[-ing2.]
That curses.
| 1599 Shakes. Much Ado v. i. 212 And you be a cursing hypocrite once, you must be lookt to. 1892 Watson G. Gilfillan iv. 97 The meagre hand of contented or cursing penury. |