Treat Meaning
/tɹiːt/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo negotiate, discuss terms, bargain (for or with).
verbTo discourse; to handle a subject in writing or speaking; to conduct a discussion.
Sentence Examples
Just as you treat me, so I will treat you.
Teachers should treat all their students impartially.
They tried to treat all their children alike.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The doctor will ____ the patient's severe infection with a powerful antibiotic.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
They decided to ____ themselves to a delicious dinner at a luxury restaurant to celebrate their wedding anniversary today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English treten, from Anglo-Norman treter, Old French tretier, traiter, from Latin tractāre (“to pull", "to manage”), from the past participle stem of trahere (“to draw", "to pull”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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:
"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:
"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:
"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:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The doctor will ____ the patient's severe infection with a powerful antibiotic.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
They decided to ____ themselves to a delicious dinner at a luxury restaurant to celebrate their wedding anniversary today.