v. t. | 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. |
| 5. | (Med.) 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. |
v. i. | 1. | To discourse; to handle a subject in writing or speaking; to make discussion; - usually with of; as, Cicero treats of old age and of duties. |
| 2. | To negotiate; to come to terms of accommodation; - often followed by with; as, envoys were appointed to treat with France. |
| 3. | To give a gratuitous entertainment, esp. of food or drink, as a compliment. |
n. | 1. | A parley; a conference. |
| 2. | An entertainment given as an expression of regard. |
| 3. | That which affords entertainment; a gratification; a satisfaction; as, the concert was a rich treat. |