curst
LowArchaic, Literary, Dialectal
Definition
Meaning
The archaic, poetic, or dialectal past tense and past participle of 'curse', meaning to call upon supernatural power to cause harm or misfortune to someone or something. Also, an archaic adjective meaning ill-tempered or under a curse.
As an adjective, it can describe someone who is shrewish, bad-tempered, or seemingly ill-fated.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Used primarily in historical, poetic, or dramatic contexts. In modern standard English, 'cursed' is the accepted form. The adjective form is essentially obsolete outside of quotations or deliberate archaism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally archaic in both varieties. Might be marginally more recognized in UK dialects, but extremely rare.
Connotations
Evokes Shakespearean or Biblical language, rustic settings, or historical fiction.
Frequency
Virtually never used in contemporary speech or standard writing.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] curst [Object] (for something)[Subject] be curst (adjective)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Curst cows have curt horns (proverb)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in analysis of historical/literary texts.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He curst the day he was born.
- The witch curst the village well.
American English
- The outlaw curst his luck as the posse closed in.
- She had curst him with her dying breath.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In the old tale, the knight was curst to wander forever.
- "Curst be your eyes!" the pirate captain shouted.
- The protagonist, believing himself curst by fate, embarked on a self-destructive path.
- Shakespeare's Caliban is often described as a 'curst' creature, born of a witch.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
'Curst' sounds like 'burst' but starts with CURSE. Think: 'He CURst that his luck had BURST.'
Conceptual Metaphor
A CURSE IS A BINDING SPELL ('bound by a curst fate'), MALICE IS A CONTAGIOUS DISEASE ('a curst and cankered heart').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation for modern contexts. Use 'cursed' (проклятый). Do not mistake it for a present tense form.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'curst' in modern writing instead of 'cursed'.
- Pronouncing it as two syllables (cur-sted).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'curst' be MOST appropriate today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is archaic. It is the older form of the past tense and past participle of 'curse', and an archaic adjective. Modern standard English uses 'cursed'.
Unless you are writing poetry, historical fiction, or deliberately using an archaic style, always use 'cursed'.
It is pronounced exactly like 'curst' in 'first' or 'burst': /kɜːst/ in British English and /kɝːst/ in American English. It is one syllable.
The one-syllable pronunciation (/kɜːst/, /kɝːst/) is used for the verb past tense/participle and sometimes the adjective. The two-syllable pronunciation (/ˈkɜː.sɪd/, /ˈkɝː.sɪd/) is typically used for the adjective only. 'Curst' corresponds to the one-syllable form.