Accurse

/əˈkɜːrs/ verb

Definition

An archaic verb meaning to curse or place a curse upon someone; to damn.

Etymology

From Old English acursian or Middle English accurse, composed of a- (intensive prefix) plus curse. This shows how English doubled up prefixes for emphasis in earlier centuries.

Kelly Says

Medieval people loved adding 'a-' to the front of verbs to make them sound more intense—'accurse' sounds much more serious than just 'curse,' which is probably why fantasy writers still use words like 'accursed'!

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