tri:t v. & n. --v. 1 tr.
act or
behave towards or deal
with (a
person or thing) in a
certain way (treated me kindly; treat it as a joke). 2 tr. deal with or
apply a process
to; act
upon to
obtain a
particular result (treat it with acid). 3 tr. apply
medical care or
attention to. 4 tr. present or deal with (a subject) in
literature or art. 5 tr. (often foll. by to)
provide with
food or
drink or
entertainment at one's
own expense (treated us to dinner). 6 intr. (often foll. by with)
negotiate terms (with a person). 7 intr. (often foll. by of)
give a
spoken or
written exposition. --n. 1 an
event or
circumstance (esp.
when unexpected or unusual)
that gives
great pleasure. 2 a meal, entertainment,
etc.,
provided by
one person
for the enjoyment of
another or others. 3 (prec. by a) extremely
good or well (they looked a treat;
has come on a treat). øøtreatable adj. treater n. treating n. [ME f. AF treter, OF traitier f. L tractare
handle,
frequent. of trahere tractdraw, pull]
