The evil inflicted by divine (or supernatural) power in response to an imprecation, or in the way of retributive punishment.

A sudden attack of illness or pain, esp. a seizure or stroke; cf. take, n.1 5. Also: enchantment; malignant influence; possession. Cf. take, v. 4. Obs…

gen. A curse, having, or supposed to have, supernatural sanction, and baleful influence.

A malefic incantation. Obsolete.

Esp. in African-American usage: a curse, a jinx, a bad spell. Chiefly in to put (a) bad mouth on.

In Spanish-speaking contexts: witchcraft, sorcery, (black) magic. Also: a magic spell or charm; a curse.

spec. An evil fate inflicted by supernatural power, esp. by way of retribution.

colloquial. Power or an advantage over someone; a curse, a jinx. Frequently in to put the Indian sign on and variants.

A magic spell or curse.

An evil influence or ‘hex’. From the 1950s, often with reference to the comic strip Li'l Abner (see quot. 1951), esp. in a double whammy and…