1. To handle; to manage; to use; to bear one's self toward; as, to treat prisoners cruelly; to treat children kindly.
2. To discourse on; to handle in a particular manner, in writing or speaking; as, to treat a subject diffusely.
3. To entertain with food or drink, especially the latter, as a compliment, or as an expression of friendship or regard; as, to treat the whole company.
4. To negotiate; to settle; to make terms for. "To treat the peace, a hundred senators Shall be commissioned." (Dryden)
5. <medicine> To care for medicinally or surgically; to manage in the use of remedies or appliances; as, to treat a disease, a wound, or a patient.
6. To subject to some action; to apply something to; as, to treat a substance with sulphuric acid.
7. To entreat; to beseech.
Origin: OE. Treten, OF. Traitier, F. Traiter, from L. Tractare to draw violently, to handle, manage, treat, v. Intens. From trahere, tractum, to draw. See Trace, and cf. Entreat, Retreat, Trait.
(01 Mar 1998)