Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

treat

[treet]
See more synonyms for treat on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
  1. to act or behave toward (a person) in some specified way: to treat someone with respect.
  2. to consider or regard in a specified way, and deal with accordingly: to treat a matter as unimportant.
  3. to deal with (a disease, patient, etc.) in order to relieve or cure.
  4. to deal with in speech or writing; discuss.
  5. to deal with, develop, or represent artistically, especially in some specified manner or style: to treat a theme realistically.
  6. to subject to some agent or action in order to bring about a particular result: to treat a substance with an acid.
  7. to entertain; give hospitality to: He treats diplomats in the lavish surroundings of his country estate.
  8. to provide food, entertainment, gifts, etc., at one's own expense: Let me treat you to dinner.
Show More
verb (used without object)
  1. to deal with a subject in speech or writing; discourse: a work that treats of the caste system in India.
  2. to give, or bear the expense of, a treat: Is it my turn to treat?
  3. to carry on negotiations with a view to a settlement; discuss terms of settlement; negotiate.
Show More
noun
  1. entertainment, food, drink, etc., given by way of compliment or as an expression of friendly regard.
  2. anything that affords particular pleasure or enjoyment.
  3. the act of treating.
  4. one's turn to treat.
Show More

Origin of treat

1250–1300; Middle English treten (v.) < Old French tretier, traitier < Latin tractāre to drag, handle, treat, frequentative of trahere to drag. See tract1
Related formstreat·er, nounnon·treat·ed, adjectiveo·ver·treat, verbself-treat·ed, adjectiveun·treat·ed, adjectivewell-treat·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

usemanagehandleconsiderevaluateregardserveplayemploytakeconductrespectholdprescribeadministercureoperatedresshealprovide

Examples from the Web for treated

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • And there was big, handsome, Eddie Arledge, whose father had treated him shabbily.

    The Spenders

    Harry Leon Wilson

  • Every one we came in contact with, both high and low, treated us most kindly.

  • Treated as I am, now is the time for me to speak out or never.

    Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)

    Samuel Richardson

  • "You've treated me damned badly," said Banstead, turning on his heel.

    Viviette

    William J. Locke

  • I have no right to be treated as if I didn't know what I was about.

    Weighed and Wanting

    George MacDonald

British Dictionary definitions for treated

treat

noun
  1. a celebration, entertainment, gift, or feast given for or to someone and paid for by another
  2. any delightful surprise or specially pleasant occasion
  3. the act of treating
Show More
verb
  1. (tr) to deal with or regard in a certain mannershe treats school as a joke
  2. (tr) to apply treatment toto treat a patient for malaria
  3. (tr) to subject to a process or to the application of a substanceto treat photographic film with developer
  4. (tr ; often foll by to) to provide (someone) (with) as a treathe treated the children to a trip to the zoo
  5. (intr usually foll by of) formal to deal (with), as in writing or speaking
  6. (intr) formal to discuss settlement; negotiate
Show More
Derived Formstreatable, adjectivetreater, noun

Word Origin

C13: from Old French tretier, from Latin tractāre to manage, from trahere to drag
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for treated

treat

v.

c.1300, "negotiate, bargain, deal with," from Old French traiter (12c.), from Latin tractare "manage, handle, deal with," originally "drag about," frequentative of trahere (past participle tractus) "to pull, draw" (see tract (n.1)). Meaning "to entertain with food and drink by way of compliment or kindness (or bribery)" is recorded from c.1500. Sense of "deal with in speech or writing" (early 14c.) led to the use in medicine (1781), "to attempt to heal or cure." Related: Treated; treating.

Show More

treat

n.

late 14c., "action of discussing terms," from treat (v.). Sense of "a treating with food and drink" (1650s) was extended by 1770 to "anything that gives pleasure."

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
treated in Medicine

treat

(trēt)
v.
  1. To give medical aid to someone.
  2. To give medical aid to counteract a disease or condition.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Idioms and Phrases with treated

treat

In addition to the idiom beginning with treat

  • treat like dirt

also see:

  • Dutch treat
  • trick or treat
Show More
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.