imprecate

American  

[im-pri-keyt] / ˈɪm prɪˌkeɪt /

verb (used with object)

imprecated, imprecating

1. to invoke or call down (evil or curses), as upon a person.

   Synonyms:

   anathematize, execrate, curse, denunciate

   Antonyms:

   bless

---

imprecate British  

/ ˈɪmprɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. (intr) to swear, curse, or blaspheme

2. (tr) to invoke or bring down (evil, a curse, etc)

   to imprecate disaster on the ship

3. (tr) to put a curse on

---

Other Word Forms

• imprecator noun
• imprecatory adjective
• unimprecated adjective

Etymology

Origin of imprecate

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin imprecātus, past participle of imprecārī “to invoke, pray to or for,” equivalent to im- “in” + prec- “pray” + -ātus past participle suffix; im- ¹, pray, -ate ¹

Explanation

To imprecate is to deliver a curse or verbally attack someone. You might imprecate a curse against a rival sports team, or even against a sibling. The verb imprecate is an old-fashioned way to say "curse," meaning either to wish harm or evil on someone, or simply to swear at them. If you're mad enough to say, "Curse you!" or "May your bed be full of fleas!" when your brother annoys you, you imprecate him. The Latin root is imprecationem, "an invoking of evil," from imprecari, "invoke or call down upon."

Example Sentences

"Swear!" he said: "imprecate a curse upon thyself if thou hast said anything untrue to save thy master."

From The Childhood of King Erik Menved An Historical Romance by Ingemann, Bernhard Severin

Further, he made the priests imprecate curses on any one who had dealings with the Persians or deserted the Greek cause.

From Plutarch's Lives, Volume II by Stewart, Aubrey

V. To curse, accurse, imprecate, scold, rail, execrate.

From Public Speaking by Stratton, Clarence

He ceased to imprecate only when, by repetition, his oaths became too inexpressive to be worth while.

From The Eagle's Heart by Garland, Hamlin

At other times he would imprecate maledictions upon his head, and curse him as her destroyer.

From The Vampyre; a Tale by Polidori, John William