cure
cure Lexical Profile
cure Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A medicine, medical treatment, or therapy that completely eliminates a disease or restores a patient to full health.
"Medical researchers have spent decades working to discover a permanent cure for the disease."
An effective solution or corrective measure that resolves a widespread social, economic, or practical problem.
"Increased investment in public education is often proposed as a long-term cure for economic inequality."
A process or chemical mixture used to preserve meat, fish, or other food products, or to harden materials such as rubber and concrete.
"The butcher rubbed the pork belly with a dry cure of sea salt, brown sugar, and crushed peppercorns."
The spiritual care and pastoral responsibility of a parish or congregation entrusted to a member of the clergy.
"The newly ordained vicar was inducted into the cure of souls at the rural parish church."
• verb
To restore a person or animal to health, or to eliminate a disease, infection, or medical condition completely.
"A standard course of antibiotics can easily cure most bacterial strep infections."
To eliminate or resolve an undesirable problem, habit, or defect.
"Replacing the worn gaskets should cure the oil leak in the engine."
To preserve meat, fish, tobacco, or animal hides by salting, smoking, pickling, or drying.
"Local fishermen traditionally cure the salmon over smoldering alder wood for several days."
To harden, solidify, or toughen (of concrete, resin, rubber, or adhesive) through chemical reaction, heat, or drying.
"Allow the epoxy resin to cure for at least twenty-four hours before placing any weight on the joint."
Word Nuance & Usage
In medical contexts, 'cure' implies the complete and permanent elimination of a disease, whereas 'treat' or 'heal' may refer to managing symptoms or supporting natural recovery without necessarily eradicating the underlying condition.
• Rhymes for cure
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Old French cure, from Latin cura ('care, concern, medical attendance, or spiritual charge'). The food preservation sense developed in the 17th century from the idea of 'taking care of' or preparing meat and fish for storage.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.