imprecate

[ im-pri-keyt ]

verb (used with object)

, im·pre·cat·ed, im·pre·cat·ing.

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

   Synonyms: anathematize, execrate, curse, denunciate

   Antonyms: bless

imprecate

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈimpreˌcatory, adjective

Other Words From

• impre·cator noun
• impre·ca·tory adjective
• un·impre·cated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of imprecate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of imprecate¹

C17: from Latin imprecārī to invoke, from im- in- ² + precārī to pray

Example Sentences

But now there is scarcely a tongue in all New England that does not imprecate curses on his name.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Bowing my head to think—to pray—to imprecate, I lost all sense of time and place.

From Project Gutenberg

At a very early period, he, in drinking, would imprecate vengeance upon "the head of him who ever lived to wear a halter."

From Project Gutenberg