Felt concern or affection for someone or something, or looked after their needs with attention.
From Old English 'carian' meaning to worry or grieve. Related to Gothic 'kara' (concern) and possibly to 'charge' as in responsibility.
Medieval English speakers used 'cared' to mean 'grieved'—so caring was originally about worrying with your whole heart! The shift from worry to affection shows how emotions bundle together in language.
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