treat

present singular third person treats · participle present treating · participle past treated · past treated · Northern England colloquial error unknown tag participle past tret · Northern England colloquial error unknown tag past tret · first person past singular treated · archaic present second person singular treatest · past second person singular treated · archaic past second person singular treatedst · present singular third person treats · archaic present singular third person treateth · past singular third person treated · past plural treated · past subjunctive treated · participle present treating

1. intransitiveTo negotiate, discuss terms, bargain (for or with).First known use 13th c.

   After all, in this hideous war we have just passed through never forget that Halifax would have treated with Hitler: it took Churchill to refuse.

   1985, Lawrence Durrell, Quinx, Faber & Faber

   2 more examples

   Now halting a few paces before the Captains of the West he looked them up and down and laughed. 'Is there any in this rout with authority to treat with me?' he asked.

   1955, J. R. R. Tolkien, The Return of the King, George Allen & Unwin

   I wouldn't promote businesses I considered immoral – ambulance-chasing lawyers or online roulette for example – but I've got nothing against computer or software manufacture: they're important and any reputable company in that industry is welcome to treat for my services.

   2010 June 6, David Mitchell, The Observer

2. intransitiveTo discourse; to handle a subject in writing or speaking; to conduct a discussion.First known use 14th c.

   Cicero's writing treats mainly of old age and personal duty.

   3 more examples

   Now of love they treat.

   1667, John Milton, “Book X”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC

   And, indeed, should the excellent Mr Broughton be prevailed on to set fist to paper, and to complete the above-said rudiments, by delivering down the true principles of athletics, I question whether the world will have any cause to lament, that none of the great writers, either antient or modern, have ever treated about that noble and useful art.

   1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

   Rhetoric includes the earliest known theory on the proper use of metaphor; On Poetics treats the role of symbolism in drama and poetry.

   1981, Aristotle, translated by W. Rhys Roberts and Ingram Bywater, Rhetoric and On Poetics, Pennsylvania: The Franklin Library, →OL, A Note on the Illustrations

   Synonyms: chat, discourse, parley, chat, common, confab, confabulate, conversate

3. transitiveTo discourse on; to represent or deal with in a particular way, in writing or speaking.First known use 14th c.

   The article treated feminism as a quintessentially modern movement.

   Synonyms: bespeak, discuss, talk about, bechat, confer, bespeak, betalk, chat

4. intransitiveobsoletetransitiveTo entreat or beseech (someone).First known use 14th–17th c.

   Only let my family live, I treat thee.

   1 more example

   To treate a tiran it is but thing in vayne.

   1515, Alexander Barclay, Eclogues

5. transitiveTo handle, deal with or behave towards in a specific way.First known use 14th c.

   You treated me like a fool.

   1 more example

   She was tempted to treat the whole affair as a joke.

   Synonyms: behandle, deal with, use

6. transitiveTo entertain with food or drink, especially at one's own expense; to show hospitality to; to pay for as celebration or reward.First known use 16th c.

   I treated my son to some popcorn in the interval.

   2 more examples

   I've done so well this month, I'll treat you all to dinner (or Dinner is my treat.)

   My husband treated me to a Paris holiday for our anniversary.

7. UKgovernmentTo commit the offence of providing food, drink, entertainment or provision to corruptly influence a voter.
8. transitiveTo care for medicinally or surgically; to apply medical care to.First known use 18th c.

   They treated me for malaria.

   1 more example

   We treated firefighters suffering from smoke inhalation, giving them oxygen to breathe and albuterol mist to help open their airways.

   2018, Sandeep Jauhar, Heart: a History, →ISBN, page 204

   Synonyms: leech, make better

9. transitiveTo subject to a chemical or other action; to act upon with a specific scientific result in mind.First known use 19th c.

   He treated the substance with sulphuric acid.

   1 more example

   I treated the photo somewhat to make the colours more pronounced.

10. transitiveTo provide (someone) with something special and pleasant.

    If good acting in movies is appealing and you enjoy live performances of theatre, you may soon be treated by the GMC's own endeavors in the theatrical arts.

    1976 December 4, “Men's Center”, in Gay Community News, volume 4, number 23, page 2

    1 more example

    The Chelsea captain was a virtual spectator as he was treated to his side's biggest win for almost two years as Stamford Bridge serenaded him with chants of "there's only one England captain," some 48 hours after he announced his retirement from international football.

    2012, Chelsea 6-0 Wolves

plural treats

1. An entertainment, outing, food, drink, or other indulgence provided by someone for the enjoyment of others.

   I took the kids to the zoo for a treat.

2. An unexpected gift, event etc., which provides great pleasure.

   It was such a treat to see her back in action on the London stage.

3. A snack food.

   These coconut and marshmallow treats are easy to make.

   1 more example

   Here are some healthy Halloween treats for ghouls and witches of all ages.

   1. A snack food item designed to be given to pets.

      I lured the cat into her carrier by throwing a couple of treats in there.

4. obsoleteA parley or discussion of terms; a negotiation.
5. obsoleteAn entreaty.

plural Treats

1. A surname.