caren.1
/kɛː/, U.S. /kɛ(ə)r/ a. Mental suffering, sorrow, grief, trouble. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > [noun]
sorec888
teeneOE
sorrowOE
workOE
wrakeOE
careOE
gramec1000
harmOE
howc1000
trayOE
woweOE
angec1175
derfnessc1175
sytec1175
unwinc1175
wosithc1200
ail?c1225
barrat?c1225
derf?c1225
grief?c1225
misease?c1225
misliking?c1225
ofthinkingc1225
passion?c1225
troublec1230
pinec1275
distress1297
grievancea1300
penancea1300
cumbermentc1300
languorc1300
cumbering1303
were1303
angera1325
strifea1325
sweama1325
woea1325
painc1330
tribulationc1330
illa1340
threst1340
constraintc1374
troublenessc1380
afflictiona1382
bruisinga1382
miseasetya1382
pressurec1384
exercisec1386
miscomfortc1390
mislikea1400
smarta1400
thronga1400
balec1400
painfulnessc1400
troublancec1400
smartness?c1425
painliness1435
perplexity?a1439
penalty?1462
calamity1490
penality1496
cumber?a1513
sussy1513
tribule1513
afflict?1529
vexation of spirit1535
troublesomeness1561
hoe1567
grievedness1571
tribulance1575
languishment1576
thrall1578
tine1590
languorment1593
aggrievedness1594
obturbation1623
afflictedness1646
erumny1657
pathos1684
shock1705
dree1791
vex1815
wrungnessa1875
dukkha1886
thinkache1892
sufferation1976
OE Beowulf (Gr.) 1303 Cearu wæs geniwod, geworden in wicun.
c1250 Hymn to God 33 in Trin. Coll. Hom. 259 Bring us ut of wo and kare.
1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (Rolls) 3204 Þys body ȝow bar wiþ wo & kare!
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3612 Þar i lig her now, in bedd o care [Trin. Cambr. wo].
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 3212 Sara..deȝed..And Abraham for hir hadde care.
c1430 Syr. Gener. 7256 Comen he is to doo vs care.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 62 Care, tristicia.
15.. Frere & Boye 23 in J. Ritson Pieces Anc. Pop. Poetry (1833) 36 Euer she dyde the lytell boye care, As fer forth as she dorste.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. viii. sig. G7 Him to recomfort in his greatest care . View more context for this quotation
1648 R. Herrick Hesperides sig. C When one is past, another care we have, Thus Woe succeeds a Woe.
1720 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad V. xvii. 89 His Words infix'd unutterable Care Deep in great Hector's Soul.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > lamentation or expression of grief > [noun]
carea1000
sorrowingOE
meaninga1200
moan?c1225
mourning?c1225
plaint?c1225
ruthc1225
weimerc1230
mean?c1250
sorrow?c1250
dolec1290
plainingc1300
woec1300
dolourc1320
mourna1350
waymentingc1350
penancec1380
complaintc1384
lamentationc1384
complainingc1385
moaninga1400
waiminga1400
waymenta1400
waymentationc1400
dillc1420
merourec1429
plainc1475
regratec1480
complainc1485
regretc1500
lamenting1513
doleance1524
deploration1533
deplorement1593
condolement1602
regreeting1606
imploration1607
pother1638
dolinga1668
moanification1827
dolence1861
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [noun] > for specific purpose > mourning
clothes, habit, weeds of dole1388
clothing of carea1400
blacka1425
mourning blacka1425
mourningc1450
weedsc1485
dolec1500
care-weed?1507
sables1603
wailing robesa1616
mournings1634
penitentials1679
dismals1748
weedery1908
the world > life > death > obsequies > formal or ceremonial mourning > [noun] > wearing of mourning garments > mourning garments
clothes, habit, weeds of dole1388
clothing of carea1400
sackclotha1400
mourningc1450
dolec1500
care-weed?1507
sables1603
mournings1634
a1000 Ags. Ps. lxxviii. 11 Geonge for þe gnornendra care [gemitus].
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10444 I se þe leuedi ma sli care.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10419 Sco tok on hir cleþing o care.
2. Burdened state of mind arising from fear, doubt, or concern about anything; solicitude, anxiety, mental perturbation; also in plural anxieties, solicitudes. †withouten care: without doubt. †to be in care: to be troubled, anxious, concerned.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > worry > anxiety > [noun]
mourningeOE
businessOE
busyOE
carefulnessa1000
carec1000
howc1000
embeþonkc1200
thought?c1250
cark1330
curea1340
exercisec1386
solicitude?a1412
pensienessc1450
anxietya1475
fear1490
thought-taking1508
pensement1516
carp1548
caring1556
hoe1567
thoughtfulness1569
carking1583
caretaking1625
anxiousness1636
solicitousness1636
concern1692
solicitation1693
anxietude1709
twitchiness1834
uptightness1969
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > of course, certainly [phrase]
to iwissea1000
mid iwissea1000
in wisc1000
to wis(se)c1000
without(en (any) weenc1175
sans fail1297
thereof no strife1297
but werea1300
forouten werea1300
out of werea1300
without werea1300
without deceit1303
for certainc1320
it is to wittingc1320
withouten carec1320
without nayc1330
without noc1330
without (but out of) dread1340
no doubtc1380
without distancec1390
no fresea1400
out of doubta1400
without doubta1400
for, (in, at obs.), of, to (a) certaintyc1400
withouten stance14..
hazel woods shakea1413
of, on, in warrantisec1440
sure enough?1440
without question?1440
wythout diswerec1440
without any dispayrec1470
for (also of) a surety?a1475
in (also for) surenessa1475
of certainc1485
without any (also all) naya1500
out of question?1526
past question?1526
for sure1534
what else1540
beyond (also out of, past, without) (all) peradventure1542
to be a bidden by1549
out of (also without) all cry1565
with a witness1579
upon my word1591
no question1594
out of all suspicion1600
for a certain1608
without scruple1612
to be sure1615
that's pos1710
in course1722
beyond (all) question1817
(and) no mistake1818
no two ways about it (also that)1818
of course1823
bien entendu1844
yessiree1846
you bet you1857
make no mistake1876
acourse1883
sans doute1890
how are you?1918
you bet your bippy1968
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) xxi. 34 On ofer-fylle and on druncennesse and þises lifes carum.
a1240 Sawles Warde in Cott. Hom. 255 Ich habbe þeruore sar care.
c1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. 457 Of þe erl of Chestre ȝe ne dorre abbe non care.
c1320 Cast. Loue 1509 O God hit is, wiþ-outen care, Of alle schaftes schuppare.
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. i. 170 Þei beoþ cumbred in care · and cunnen not out-crepe.
c1420 Sir Amadace xxxi Gode Sirs, haue ȝe no care.
1576 G. Gascoigne Steele Glas sig. D.iij In my glasse..I can perceiue, how kingdomes breede but care.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) ii. iv. 4 So Cares and Ioyes abound, as Seasons fleet. View more context for this quotation
1682 N. O. tr. N. Boileau-Despréaux Lutrin iv. 332 Fretting Care, that kills a Cat!
1714 T. Ellwood Hist. Life (1765) 92 I was in care how to speak with some Friend about it.
1796–7 S. T. Coleridge Poems (1862) 2 The sorrow-clouded breast of Care.
1864 Ld. Tennyson Enoch Arden in Enoch Arden, etc. 13 Cast all your cares on God.
1884 Illustr. London News 27 Sept. 307/3 Black care who sits behind the horseman.
3.
a. Serious or grave mental attention; the charging of the mind with anything; concern; heed, heedfulness, attention, regard; caution, pains.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [noun]
yemec893
carefulnessa1000
getec1175
gomec1175
tenta1300
curec1300
keepa1325
diligence1340
heed1357
tentivenessa1382
observancec1390
businessa1398
reasona1398
attendancec1400
resporta1413
curiosityc1430
mindingc1449
reckc1475
respect1509
regardshipa1513
looking unto1525
peradvertencea1529
looking toa1535
solicitudea1535
looking after?1537
solicitudeness1547
care1548
solicitnessc1550
caring1556
heedfulness1561
solicitateness1562
hofulness1566
regard1573
charishness1587
on-waiting1590
heediness1596
take-heed1596
respectiveness1598
observationa1616
solicitousness1636
heeding1678
curiousness1690
solicitation1693
attention1741
craftsmanship1850
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) x. 40 Nis þe nan caru [1160 care] þæt min swustur let me ænlipie þenian.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Matt. xxvi. f. 116 Buryed with the busy care of a noble man.
1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 50 Dost thou nowe committe Idolatrie with them without care?
c1616 R. C. Times' Whistle (1871) v. 1673 Many..only vse their care In dainty banquetes.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 146 His Mother's Precepts he performs with care . View more context for this quotation
1742 A. Pope New Dunciad 423 Rose or Carnation was below my care.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth ii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. I. 49 Moustaches which had lately been arranged with some care.
1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess Prol. 9 As a parrot turns.., And takes a lady's finger with all care.
b. Const. of (archaic), for, and infinitive. Here, and in 3c, the sense may pass, esp. in negative construction, to Regard arising from desire or estimation, liking, inclination to or for.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > [noun] > attention to, consideration
regard1348
considerationc1386
circumspection1387
insight1390
mentionc1390
mindingc1449
religiousnessa1475
supervising?a1475
regarding1496
sussy1513
remorse1514
respectc1530
carec1540
re-look1855
the mind > emotion > love > liking or favourable regard > [noun]
loveeOE
well-likinglOE
favoura1340
liking1340
greea1400
study?c1400
benevolence1423
lustc1430
carec1540
goût1586
like1589
infection1600
predilection1626
notion1789
grá1833
shindy1855
hard-on1949
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > [noun] > care or kindly interest
regard?a1518
carec1540
tender1598
resentment1641
concern1877
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 427 Criste on the crosse for our care deghit.
1590 R. Greene Neuer too Late i. 13 Care to liue, or sweete delight in life,..Drawes me.
1623 W. Lisle in tr. Ælfric Saxon Treat. Old & New Test. Judg. They worshipped the God of heaven with care of his commandements.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan i. xii. 52 Man, which looks too far before him, in the care of future time.
1705 I. Norris in Pa. Hist. Soc. Mem. X. 82 They stand in care of nobody's censure.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam xxxviii. 59 If any care for what is here Survive in spirits render'd free. View more context for this quotation
1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola I. Proem 13 Public spirit..its essence is care for a common good.
c. to have a care, †keep a care, take care.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > care or heed [verb (intransitive)] > take care
keep1382
curec1384
carkc1390
carea1593
to have a care1598
keep a care1598
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > be cautious or take care [verb (intransitive)]
warea1000
biwaitc1456
to look to it1548
to look out?1553
to play safe1601
to be on the sure side1668
to mind out1823
to keep one's powder dry1837
to play it safe1873
to have a care1876
to watch it1916
to watch (or mind) one's step1934
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 507 We wil turne it finely off sir, we wil take some care. View more context for this quotation
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream iv. i. 14 Good Mounsieur haue a care, the honybagge breake not. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. i. 308 If of life you keepe a care, Shake off slumber and beware. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) i. i. 184 He tooke some care To get her cunning Schoolemasters to instruct her. View more context for this quotation
1680 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. xiii. 230 You must take great care, that the Solid Ball..be..exactly Spherical.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 127 Take A timely Care to bring the Truants back. View more context for this quotation
1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto I xiii. 9 For native Spanish she had no great care.
1876 W. Black Madcap Violet xviii. 161 ‘Have a care, Jack!’ Peter called out.
4.
a. Charge; oversight with a view to protection, preservation, or guidance. In the address of a letter or package ‘ care of ——’. in care of (U.S.): = care of.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > control > [noun] > charge
holda1100
yemselc1175
ward?c1225
carec1540
matronizing1832
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > [noun]
lookingc1300
keepingc1380
charge1389
keepa1400
procuration?a1425
charchec1426
tuition1436
recommendation1483
fostera1500
sussy1513
carec1540
overlooking1565
regard1596
overview1598
accurance1677
protectiveness1847
protectingness1852
society > communication > correspondence > sending items > sending letters [phrase] > directions on letter
poste restante1768
care of1852
c/o1889
in care of1917
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 6196 Noble knightes all, Vnder care of two kynges.
1560 Bible (Geneva) 2 Cor. xi. 28 I..have the care of all the Churches.
1647 C. Cotterell & W. Aylesbury tr. E. C. Davila Hist. Civill Warres France i. 7 He left the care of the whole enterprise.
1710 H. Prideaux Orig. & Right Tithes ii. 67 Upon the Evangelical Priesthood..is incumbent..to take on them the Care of their Souls.
1841 E. W. Lane tr. Thousand & One Nights I. 99 I commend thee to the care of God.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin II. xxiii. 79 I'll take her under my care.
1852 C. Dickens Bleak House Address to Nemo, care of Mr. Krook.
1875 W. S. Jevons Money (1878) 207 The ship-master..is obliged to retain the identical cases committed to his care.
1917 S. Merwin Temperamental Henry 256 If you care to write a good-bye, address me in care of the ship.
1928 Notes & Queries 4 Aug. 90 If owners of such letters will write to me in care of the Oxford University Press.
1967 Boston Sunday Globe 23 Apr. b63/7 Questions on home improvement and repair may be addressed to The House Doctor in care of this newspaper.
b. Hence to have the care of, etc. to take care of: to look after (see to look after —— 4a at look v. Phrasal verbs 2); to deal with, provide for, dispose of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > take care about [verb (transitive)]
lookeOE
heeda1225
recka1225
intendc1374
curec1384
observec1390
fandc1425
to see unto ——a1470
wake1525
regard1526
tend1549
study1557
foresee1565
beware1566
to have the care of1579
reckon1622
mind1740
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)]
hold971
yemeOE
biwitc1000
keepa1325
wait1362
tentc1400
attendc1420
to take guard1426
tend?1521
to have the care of1579
to have, take, give (the) charge of1611
mind1640
to have, take in charge1665
tutor1682
attend1796
shepherda1822
mother1851
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > take care of or look after
yknowOE
knowlOE
to care forc1230
bihedec1250
beseec1300
to look to ——c1300
seea1325
await1393
observea1425
procurea1425
to look after ——1487
to take (also have) regard to (or of)a1500
regard1526
to see after ——1544
to look unto ——1545
attendc1572
to take care of1579
curea1618
tend1631
to look over ——1670
1579 L. Tomson tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. S. Paule to Timothie & Titus 363/2 O Lorde..I thanke thee, for that thou vouchsafest to haue care vppon so wretched a creature as I am.
1582 Bible (Rheims) Luke x. 32 [He] brought him into an Inne, and tooke care of him.
1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. 2 It doth certainely belong vnto Kings to haue care of Religion.
1620 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote III. xxxiii. 240 I desired this Waiting-woman to have a Care on him.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 37. ¶4 She has no Children to take care of.
1747 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 6 Nov. (1932) (modernized text) III. 1051 I recommend to you to take care of minutes; for hours will take care of themselves.
1747 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 6 Nov. (1932) (modernized text) III. 1051 I knew, once, a very covetous, sordid fellow [sc. William Lowndes, secretary of the Treasury, 1696–1724], who used frequently to say, ‘Take care of the pence; for the pounds will take care of themselves’.
1762 J. Boswell Jrnl. 31 Dec. in London Jrnl. (1950) 113 She mentioned one consequence that in an affair of gallantry might be troublesome... ‘Why, to be sure, if such a person should appear, he must be taken care of.’
1801 T. Jefferson Let. 18 Sept. in Wks. (1905) IX. 305 We are bound to take care of them. Could we not procure them as good births [sic] as their former at least, in some of the custom-houses?
1816 J. Austen Emma II. xvi. 309 Young ladies should take care of themselves.—Young ladies are delicate plants. They should take care of their health and their complexion. View more context for this quotation
1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess iii. 50 She had the care of Lady Ida's youth.
1861 J. S. Mill Represent. Govt. ii. 22 Things left to take care of themselves inevitably decay.
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 167 You take care of your money.
1925 Ladies' Home Jrnl. May 26/2 ‘Never mind, ma. I'll take care of them,’ put in Edd.
1926 Publishers' Weekly 22 May 1709/2 Such an information desk should take care of all inquiries regarding books and reading.
1930 Publishers' Weekly 31 May 2728 The budget..was not sufficient to take care of the increasing expenses.
1931 H. F. Pringle Theodore Roosevelt i. xiv. 198 He..found himself besieged with petitions for jobs... It was impossible to take care of all of them.
1932 Atlantic Monthly Apr. 421/2 Money..which would enable him to take care of all arrears on the property.
1959 Listener 9 Apr. 628/1 That little problem had been taken care of.
c. (in need of) care or (also and) protection, a legal formula (see quot. 1933) used of a destitute or dangerously circumstanced child who is judged fit for official guardianship; also attributive, as care or (and) protection order, one by which a magistrate effects such guardianship; also elliptical, as care order; in care, under official guardianship.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > [noun] > guardianship of minor or incapable person > specific
orphanage1538
(in need of) care or (also and) protection1932
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > [adjective] > entrusted to another's care or keeping > of destitute or dangerously circumstanced children
in care1932
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > [adjective] > entrusted to another's care or keeping > of destitute or dangerously circumstanced children > judged to be in need of guardianship
(in need of) care or (also and) protection1932
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > judging > [noun] > judgement or decision of court > decision in writing or court order > in family cases
bastardy order1796
affiliation order1832
maintenance order1920
care order1969
1932 Act 22 & 23 Geo. V c. 46 §9 (heading) Juveniles in need of Care or Protection.
1933 Act 23 Geo. V c. 12 §61 For the purposes of this Act a child or young person in need of care or protection means a person who is (a) a child..who, having no parent or guardian.., is either falling into bad associations, or exposed to moral danger, or beyond control; or (b) a child..in respect of whom any of the offences mentioned in..this Act has been committed; [etc.].
1944 A. E. Ikin Educ. Act 1944 102 Children and young persons in need of care and protection.
1948 Act 11 & 12 Geo. VI c. 43 §10 (heading) Duty of parents to maintain contact with local authorities having their children in care.
1969 Listener 15 May 666/1 The family..ends with the father in lodgings and the mother and children in a hostel (and frequently some children in care).
1969 Children & Young Persons Act 17 & 18 Eliz. II c. 54 §20 (1) Any provision of this Act authorising the making of a care order in respect of any person shall be construed as authorising the making of an order committing him to the care of a local authority.
1985 Daily Tel. 30 Apr. 3/1 On August 17 an interim care order was made, and at a case conference three days later it was decided to place the children with foster parents.
5.
a. An object or matter of care, concern, or solicitude.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > worry > anxiety > [noun] > cause of
solicitudes1490
care1590
thoughta1647
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii.x. sig. Y Gathered the Princes..To taken counsell of their common cares.
1631 Bp. J. Hall Occas. Medit. (ed. 2) (2nd state) §cxxiii The maine care of any creature is self-preservation.
1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. i. i. 7 The first Care of Mankind is to supply the Cravings of Nature.
1751 T. Gray Elegy vi. 6 Or busy houswife ply her evening care.
1812 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Cantos I & II i. ix. 7 Pomp and power alone are woman's care.
1855 Ld. Tennyson To Rev. F. D. Maurice Come, when no graver cares employ.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 298 He could not himself spare the time from cares of state.
b. of persons and things. Cf. ‘youthful charge’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > [noun] > person or thing in another's care
care1697
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 8 Come to my longing Arms, my lovely care.
1712 A. Pope Messiah in Spectator No. 349 The good Shepherd tends his fleecy Care.
1735 W. Somervile Chace ii. 465 Each watchful Eye Fix'd on his youthful Care.
1863 W. E. Aytoun in Tales from Blackwood IX. 39 Wintry frosts shall never see The rose that is my care!
Compounds
C1.
a. General attributive.
care-line n.
care-wrinkle n.
b. † care-weed n. Obsolete mourning attire.
care-and-maintenance n. attributive describing a building, area, etc., maintained in good condition though not in present use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > preservation from injury or destruction > [adjective] > preserved in being or use > preserved in proper condition
fencible1417
well-kept1613
kept1856
care-and-maintenance1930
1930 Economist 13 Sept. 475/1 Once estates are put on to a ‘care and maintenance’ basis, it will take a considerable increase in price to bring them back into production.
1958 Times Rev. Industry Aug. 40/2 Two former..sites (one of which had been kept on a partial care-and-maintenance basis) were reopened.
care-bed n. a bed of suffering or grief.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > [noun] > bed of
care-beda1400
a1400 Sir Perc. lxvii The kyng to Carebedd es gane.
1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shepherdess 56 (Jam.) In care-bed lair for three lang hours she lay.
care-committee n. a committee which charges itself with the care of the poor.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social attitudes > philanthropy > [noun] > poor-relief > committee charged with care of poor
care-committee1908
1908 Times 3 Feb. 11/5 He had been told to devote the whole of his time to assisting the Care Committee.
1909 M. Frere Children's Care Committees 35 In 1902 the name [sc. Charitable Funds Committee] was changed to Children's Relief Committee, and finally, in 1908, to Children's Care Committee.
1914 H. D. C. Pepler Care Comm. Pref. p. iii The ‘after care’ of children as they leave school is the most hopeful side of Care Committee work.
1931 W. Holtby Poor Caroline v. 157 He schooled his..sense of humour to docility in the face of care committees and church workers.
care-labelling n. the securing of labels on clothes and fabrics, giving advice about cleaning and ironing processes; so care-label.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing clothes and textile articles > [noun] > clothes to be or that have been washed > instructions attached to clothes
care-labelling1962
1962 Rep. Comm. Consumer Protection 39 in Parl. Papers 1961–2 (Cmnd. 1781) XII. 317 The next topic we explored in relation to clothing and textiles was the very important subject of care-labelling.
1967 Spectator 1 Dec. 682/1 The most recent spot check by Which? found that only two thirds of garments had care labels of any kind.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [noun] > for specific purpose > mourning
clothes, habit, weeds of dole1388
clothing of carea1400
blacka1425
mourning blacka1425
mourningc1450
weedsc1485
dolec1500
care-weed?1507
sables1603
wailing robesa1616
mournings1634
penitentials1679
dismals1748
weedery1908
the world > life > death > obsequies > formal or ceremonial mourning > [noun] > wearing of mourning garments > mourning garments
clothes, habit, weeds of dole1388
clothing of carea1400
sackclotha1400
mourningc1450
dolec1500
care-weed?1507
sables1603
mournings1634
?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in Poems (1998) I. 52 I go to the kirk cled in cair weid.
C2. Objective.
a. With present participles forming adjectives, as care-bewitching, care-bringing, care-charming, care-defying, care-drowning, care-eluding.
ΚΠ
1596 M. Drayton Mortimeriados sig. K 1v Prest with a care-bringing Crowne.
a1644 F. Quarles Solomons Recantation (1645) vii. 5 Care-bewitching sweets.
1744 J. Thomson Autumn in Seasons (new ed.) 157 With every gentle Care-eluding [1730 care-elusive] Art.
1802 C. Lamb Corr. (1870) cxliii. 376 Care-drowning night.
b. With verbal nouns or agent-nouns forming nouns, as care-charmer, care-killing, etc.
ΚΠ
1592 S. Daniel Delia in Wks. (1717) 415 Care-Charmer Sleep, Son of the sable Night.
1835 Athenaeum 18 Apr. 304/1 Thrice happy my life had I just such a wife, Such a care-killing wife as Brambillla.
C3. Instrumental. Also caretaker n., caretaking n., etc.
care-accloyed adj.
ΚΠ
1596 C. Fitzgeffry Sir Francis Drake sig. F3 Poore care-accloyed pilgrime traveler.
care-crazed adj.
ΚΠ
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III iii. vii. 174 A care-crazd mother of a many children. View more context for this quotation
care-crossed adj.
ΚΠ
1873 M. Arnold Lit. & Dogma vii. 239 Care-crossed, toil-stained millions.
care-encumbered adj.
ΚΠ
1845 H. W. Longfellow Poems 361 I think how many thousands of care-encumbered men..Have crossed the bridge.
care-fraught adj.
ΚΠ
1835 N. P. Willis Pencillings II. lvii. 140 Their care-fraught profession.
care-laden adj.
ΚΠ
1880 J. H. Burton Hist. Reign Queen Anne III. xiv. 11 Whispers and care-laden looks.
care-lined adj.
ΚΠ
1889 Athenæum 23 Mar. 368/1 A man of clear brown complexion,..care-lined and thought-lined brow, vehement hazel eyes.
care-pined adj.
ΚΠ
1603 T. Dekker et al. Patient Grissill sig. A2v Coy dames, who..Shew the care-pined hearts, that sue to them.
care-scorched adj.
ΚΠ
1610 Histrio-mastix iii. 68 Cast water on the care-scorcht face.
care-tired adj.
ΚΠ
1858 S. M. Smucker Public & Private Hist. Napoleon III xvi. 238 It would..be a great relief to his care-tired thoughts to relax his mind in the gay and entertaining society of such a woman as the Countess.
care-tuned adj.
ΚΠ
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II iii. ii. 88 My care tunde tongue. View more context for this quotation
1611 A. Stafford Niobe 241 [The nightingale] begins to carol out her care-tuned musick.
care-untroubled adj.
ΚΠ
1788 R. Burns in J. Johnson Scots Musical Museum II. 187 Care-Untroubled, joy-surrounded.
care-worn n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being harassed > condition of being oppressed > [adjective]
oppresseda1500
heavy-laden1611
tentered1652
weighteda1732
weighed1822
care-worn1828
beaten down1876
1828 T. Carlyle Burns in Edinb. Rev. Dec. 289 His careworn heart.
1856 C. Dickens Let. 5 July (1995) VIII. 152 A face too careworn for her years.
1882 J. A. Lees & W. J. Clutterbuck Three in Norway xix. 149 We met a very careworn-looking man.
care-wounded adj.
ΚΠ
1627 T. May tr. Lucan Pharsalia (new ed.) v. (T.) Cornelia, his care-wounded breast clasping.
Draft additions January 2011
care home n. a small institution providing residential accommodation with health or social services for the elderly, vulnerable children, the infirm, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > dwelling place or abode > institutional homes > [noun]
home1829
residential home1893
care home1959
1959 Los Angeles Sentinel 1 Jan. b4 They visited with the oldsters at the Whiteside Proctor Ward and Care Home.
1995 Independent 18 Oct. 6/4 A police survey..reveals that ‘alarming’ and ‘wildly disproportionate’ numbers of child prostitutes are from care homes.
2009 C. Reddall Palliative Care for Care Homes xxvii. 133 When an elderly person goes into a care home, much of their independence and choice is lost.
Draft additions June 2001
The attention and treatment given to a patient by a doctor or other health worker.
ΚΠ
1658 J. Shirley Honoria & Mammon iii. 44 My Doctor, to whose care, and art I owe my lungs, and life.
1693 T. D'Urfey Richmond Heiress i. i. 6 Sir Char. Doctor, look well to your Patient... Guiac. Fear not, Sir, my Care and Medicines will work the desired Effect.
1744 J. Armstrong Art of preserving Health iii. 92 For want of timely care Millions have died of medicable wounds.
1800 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 4 201 Diseases admitted under the Care of the Physicians..[included] Urticaria.
1850 J. S. Blackie Choephoræ 135 Disease that no physician's care Makes sound again!
1928 Jrnl. Royal Anthropol. Inst. 58 290 So efficient have the natives become that mis-set bones come under the care of the American doctors with surprising infrequency.
1985 Sci. Amer. Apr. 94/3 On the day of the operation the anesthesiologist begins care by setting up..the monitoring devices needed to provide information about the function of vital-organ systems.
2000 Independent 3 May i. 2/1 There are significant issues regarding the quality control of standards of care, including nurse staffing levels and skill mix.
Draft additions June 2001
care assistant n. a person, esp. one with no formal training in nursing, employed to assist with routine patient care in a hospital, nursing home or similar institution, or to provide such care for the elderly and infirm in their homes.
ΚΠ
1972 Wandsworth Boro' News 6 Oct. 21/3 Care assistants required at home for 90 elderly people situated in the Wimbledon Common/Putney area.
1991 Young People Now 22 Feb. 31/3 She is currently being considered for a permanent post as a care assistant.
1997 Community Care 17 July 24/1 It seems bizarre that a care assistant visiting elderly clients in their own homes should have to fix a circuit breaker.
Draft additions June 2001
care attendant n. a person employed, esp. on a part-time basis, to relieve a carer (carer n. b).
ΚΠ
1975 Wandsworth Boro' News 8 Aug. 17/3 (advt.) Care attendants for the elderly.
1991 Pract. Health Jan. 58/2 Diana is worried about how to pay for the home help her mother needs, and she's been thinking about hiring a care attendant for the times when she just cannot be with her.
2001 Vancouver Sun (Nexis) 23 Feb. d7 Our main character..is a poisonously sexist pig who takes out his anger about being stuck in a wheelchair on all the poorly paid care attendants and social workers who just want to help.
Draft additions June 2001
caregiver n. originally U.S. a carer, either (a) a person, typically either a professional or close relative, who looks after a disabled or elderly person, invalid, etc.; (b) a parent, foster-parent, or social services professional, who provides care for an infant or child.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > [noun] > one who looks after > a sick or disabled person
homemaker1940
caregiver1966
carer1978
care worker1980
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > [noun] > one who looks after > guardian of minor or incapable person
wardenc1290
tutora1387
curate1463
curator1471
guardiana1535
guardianer1595
pro-tutor1664
legal guardian1720
guardy1833
conservator1853
caregiver1966
primary caregiver1972
1966 R. A. Mackey (Catholic Univ. of Amer. Stud. in Social Work, No. 43) (title) The meaning of mental illness to caregivers and mental health agents.
1976 National Observer (U.S.) 10 July 8/6 Women can be ‘caregivers’ or ‘either-ors’ who choose either marriage and family or career.
1988 Independent 16 Mar. 19/4 The term nanny tends to be avoided, and substitutes range from babysitter to..the latest, ‘caregiver’.
1996 M. Kaplan Clinical Pract. Caregivers viii. 106 Professional caregivers of dementia patients work with individuals who will never recover from their illnesses.
2000 Monitor (Kampala) 28 Apr. 18/3 Sociologists will tell you that in cultures where women are valued for traditional roles of mother and caregiver, hips are in.
Draft additions June 2001
caregiving adj. and n. (a) adj. characterized by attention to the needs of others, esp. those unable to look after themselves adequately; professionally involved in the provision of health or social care; (b) n. attention to the needs of a child, elderly person, invalid, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > [noun] > care for or looking after > personal care to sick or weak
tendance1578
caregiving1966
1966 Man 1 336 Humans possess an innate releasing mechanism which ensures that epimelitic or care-giving behaviour is released by the sign stimuli provided by the human baby.
1972 A. S. Honig & J. R. Lally (title) Infant caregiving: a design for training.
1991 Christian Sci. Monitor 30 Dec. 20/4 When children's well-being is at stake, the price is never right if the care-giving is inadequate.
2000 N.Y. Times 3 Aug. g9/4 The caregiving industry is so fragmented..and there's such an imbalance with demand and supply that people who aren't that good go from job to job making the same money.
Draft additions June 2001
care group n. (a) a group of patients requiring or receiving a particular type of medical care; (b) U.S. a group of people who promote the interests of others who are disadvantaged in some way; (c) a group of people who aim to provide emotional support for each other.
ΚΠ
1976 Nursing Times 17 June (Occasional Papers) 88/3 Patients in care groups 1 and 2 (self-care) received most correct care, followed by care groups 4 and 5 (intensive care) with least correct care for patients in care group 3 (intermediate care).
1977 Washington Post 20 Jan. dc7/6 ‘It seems that they don't care,’ said Linda Purdue, director of the Gerus Society, an elderly care group that has protested the law.
1982 Christian Sci. Monitor (Nexis) 17 Feb. 20 I know the home is an endangered species, but maybe these new neighborhood care-groups will help to bring families together.
1989 Boston Globe 20 Dec. 85/4 Jeff, who has become a national symbol of the human-animal bond, makes fundraising appearances around the country for Alzheimer's disease care groups.
1991 Pink Paper 30 Mar. 13/2 What do you do when you're down? I cry. I get my care group round. They bring me plants and we drink gin.
Draft additions June 2001
care in the community n. and adj. (a) n. medical or social care, esp. of the mentally ill, disabled, or elderly, which is provided within the community (esp. by relatives) rather than in hospitals or other institutions; (spec. in Britain) a Government policy and programme (originally introduced under the terms of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990) with the aim of reducing the institutional provision of long-term care for such patients; (b) adj. (usually with hyphen), designating a person on this programme; (also colloquial and derogatory) regarded as being or resembling such a person.
ΚΠ
1968 Jrnl. Royal Coll. General Practitioners 15 175 (heading) Medical care in the community. The future role of the medical officer of health.]
1977 P. Mittler Day Services for Mentally Handicapped Adults (Nat. Devel. Group for Mentally Handicapped) ii. 11 There should be a reorientation in the mental health services away from institutional care towards care in the community.
1988 Social Work Today 17 Mar. 3/1 The minister, supported by an implementation team, would regulate the process of care in the community.
1995 Daily Tel. 9 Feb. 17/2 I have already heard my daughter and her friends refer to a scruffy-looking boy as ‘he looks a bit care-in-the-community’.
1996 Independent 21 Feb. 17/1 Thus came the first political recognition of one of the main failings afflicting the care in the community programme: the way it fails to cope with schizophrenics and other seriously mentally-ill patients who need long-term, round-the-clock support.
1996 Independent 21 Feb. 17/2 Care in the community began its life as an idea almost 40 years ago.
1999 Evening Standard (Electronic ed.) 18 Sept. It took seven officers using CS spray to restrain the 6ft 7in care-in-the community patient.
Draft additions June 2001
care worker n. chiefly British a person employed to look after the interests of vulnerable, infirm, or disadvantaged people or those under the care of the state, esp. by providing support and supervising their progress.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > [noun] > one who looks after > a sick or disabled person
homemaker1940
caregiver1966
carer1978
care worker1980
1980 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 27 Sept. 847/1 A patient who is tube-fed may be bed-ridden for years..with no mental contact with the care-workers.
1993 Independent 28 Jan. 13/7 The Department of the Environment is providing three-year funding, from April, to develop parallel work with care workers on creative ‘profiles’ of the disabled.
2001 Derby Evening Tel. (Nexis) 12 Jan. 3 He was..cleared of threatening to kill four care workers who he believed were destroying a relationship he had formed on leaving prison.
Draft additions June 2021
care pathway n. (in health care) the optimal sequence of steps in the diagnosis and treatment of a particular disorder; (more generally) a plan or strategy of treatment and care for an individual or individuals, esp. those with a particular disorder or at a particular stage of life.
ΚΠ
1968 Med. Care 6 106 (caption) Percentage of patients who should follow each type of medical care pathway for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of myocardial infarction.]
1974 Health Services Rep. (U.S.) 89 122/1 The care pathway for colon cancer patients..was apparently somewhat more difficult to traverse than that for breast cancer patients.
1998 Birmingham Post (Nexis) 20 Feb. 10 Future high-quality patient care will require integrated care pathways linking hospital and community services.
2014 A. Hayes et al. Pathways through Care at End of Life ii. 34 The end of life care pathway begins at the point when discussions about the person's care need to take account of the fact that they are in the final phase of life.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† caren.2
Obsolete.
Some kind of stuff. (Perhaps the same word as cary n.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > other textile fabrics > [noun]
renciana1300
maidenhair1359
caryc1394
spinal1399
whitefolding1423
care1429
radevorec1430
queen's clothc1450
basselan1453
Brunswick1480
ragmas1480
haberjetc1503
redvorea1525
stockbridge1526
demigraine1540
fledge1542
pinned white1552
satin-reverses1554
beverneck1567
scamato1569
messellawny1604
brogetie1610
novato1614
fugeratta1638
barrateen1689
tamarine1691
masquerade1696
calandring1697
succatoon1703
russerine1710
stade1714
Chuckla1721
long ell1725
slay1745
vilderoy1769
succota1780
minorque1794
zebra1829
grising1866
Turkoman1881
cameline1886
lyocell1990
1429 in J. Raine Testamenta Eboracensia (1836) I. 420 A russet cloke, lynd wt care aboute ye schuldyrs.
a1440 Sir Eglam. lxxi Thys lady was in care cladd.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
caren.3
/kɛː/, U.S. /kɛ(ə)r/ The name for the Mountain Ash, in the south-west of England.
Π
1849 Kingsley in Life I. 173 Of old Dartmoor was a forest..its hill-sides clothed with birch, oak, and ‘care’.
1880 M. A. Courtney Gloss. Words W. Cornwall in Gloss. Cornwall (E.D.S.) Care, the mountain ash.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
carev.
/kɛː/, U.S. /kɛ(ə)r/ a. To sorrow or grieve. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > feel sorrow or grief [verb (intransitive)]
sorroweOE
sorryeOE
careOE
heavyOE
mournOE
rueOE
murkenOE
dole13..
likec1330
wailc1374
ensorrowc1384
gloppen?a1400
sytea1400
teena1400
grievec1400
angera1425
erme1481
yearna1500
aggrieve1559
discomfort?a1560
melancholyc1580
to eat one's (own) heart1590
repent1590
passion1598
sigh1642
the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > lamentation or expression of grief > lament or express grief [verb (intransitive)]
sorroweOE
meaneOE
careOE
mournOE
ofthink?c1225
to make sorrow?c1250
to make languorc1300
bemoanc1305
plainc1325
moanc1330
wailc1330
waymentc1350
complainc1374
to make syte?a1400
sweam14..
lamentc1515
bemournc1540
regratec1550
to sing sol-fa, sorrow, woe1573
condole1598
passion1598
deplore1632
ochone1829
rune1832
OE Crist I 177 Hwæt bemurnest ðu, cleopast cearigende?
a1175 Cott. Hom. 243 Þa cearodon þa sunder halȝan.
c1230 Hali Meid. 27 Moni þing schal ham wraððen..ant makie to carien.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 3182 'Whi carestow, sede þe quene.
c1400 in T. Wright Polit. Poems & Songs (1859) II. 4 The lond..for defalte of help hath longe cared.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 475/1 I care for his losses, Je me chagrine de ses pertes.
ΚΠ
c1386 G. Chaucer Clerk's Tale 1156 Lat hym care and wepe and wryng and waille.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3212 Sarra..deid..And abraham can for hir car.
2. † a. To be troubled, uneasy, or anxious (obsolete).
Thesaurus »
b. To feel concern (great or little), be concerned, trouble oneself, feel interest. Also in colloquial phrases expressing or implying lack of interest or concern: for all I care, see if I care, who cares?
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > indifference > [phrase] > expression of indifference
what reck?a1513
a foutre for1600
God pays1605
san fairy ann1919
for all I care1934
so what?1934
(I, etc.) couldn't care less1946
see if I care1947
(I, etc.) could care less1966
OE Beowulf 1536 Na ymb his lif cearað.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 40 Sare mei an oðer of hire flucht carien.
c1300 Beket 1573 Ich wole sigge..whi ich carie so.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 11675 I care mare for a-noþer þing.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xii. 112 Ye nede not to care, If ye folow my sawe.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Sam. ix. 20 As for the Asses..care not thou for them for they are founde.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Sam. xviii. 3 Neither if halfe of vs die will they care for vs. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iii. i. 173 Those that care to keepe your Royall Person. View more context for this quotation
1844 ‘J. Slick’ High Life N.Y. I. vi. 68 I didn't exactly like the feel of it, but ‘Who cares’, sez I to myself.
1852 F. W. Faber Jesus & Mary (ed. 2) 186 Labour is sweet, for Thou hast toiled, And care is light, for Thou hast cared.
1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. v. 421 He cared only..for his own interests.
1856 Harper's Mag. Sept. 561/2 Who cares?
1931 Maclean's 15 Dec. 24/2 ‘I'll be killed,’ the man gasped. ‘Who cares?’ was the brutal reply.
1934 J. Hilton Good-bye, Mr. Chips viii. 55 You can go to blazes for all I care.
1947 V. M. Axline Play Therapy 356 Fall on the floor, damn you! See if I care.
c. To be careful, to take care. Now only dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > care or heed [verb (intransitive)] > take care
keep1382
curec1384
carkc1390
carea1593
to have a care1598
keep a care1598
a1593 H. Smith Serm. (1637) 302 It is not enough to heare but you must care how you heare; it is not enough to pray, but you must care how you pray.
a1593 H. Smith Serm. (1866) II. 47 Let them which are down care to rise.
1883 Harper's Mag. Jan. 200/2 Unless a man cares to fall her right, she'll break all up.
3. to care for: to take thought for, provide for, look after, take care of. Also with indirect passive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > be attentive, pay attention to [verb (intransitive)]
lookeOE
reckOE
heedOE
turna1200
beseec1200
yeme?c1225
to care forc1230
hearkenc1230
tendc1330
tentc1330
hangc1340
rewarda1382
behold1382
convert1413
advertc1425
lotec1425
resortc1450
advertise1477
mark1526
regard1526
pass1548
anchor1557
eye1592
attend1678
mind1768
face1863
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > take care of or look after
yknowOE
knowlOE
to care forc1230
bihedec1250
beseec1300
to look to ——c1300
seea1325
await1393
observea1425
procurea1425
to look after ——1487
to take (also have) regard to (or of)a1500
regard1526
to see after ——1544
to look unto ——1545
attendc1572
to take care of1579
curea1618
tend1631
to look over ——1670
c1230 Hali Meid. 5 He wile carien for hire.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. ii. 161 Þanne cared þei for caplus to kairen hem þider.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms xxxix. 17 I am poore & in mysery, but the Lorde careth for me.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) i. i. 75 Who care for you like Fathers. View more context for this quotation
1676 M. Hale Contempl. Moral & Divine i. 183 He careth for us that knows what is fittest for us.
1858 ‘G. Eliot’ Janet's Repentance xxv, in Scenes Clerical Life II. 351 Infinite Love was caring for her.
1887 Manch. Guard. 14 Apr. 7 The child had..been well cared for.
4. In negative and conditional construction:
a.
(a) not to care passes from the notion of ‘not to trouble oneself’, to those of ‘not to mind, not to regard or pay any deference or attention, to pay no respect, be indifferent’. Const. for, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > indifference > [verb (intransitive)]
to put in no chaloir1477
not to care1490
to let the world wag (as it will)c1525
not to care a chip1556
to hang loose (to)1591
(to bid, care, give) a fig, or fig's end for1632
not to careor matter a farthing1647
not to care a doit1660
(not) to care twopencea1744
not to give a curse (also damn)1763
not to care a dump1821
not to care beans1833
not to care a darn1840
not to give a darn1840
not to care a straw (two, three straws)1861
not to care (also give) a whoop1867
(to care) not a fouter1871
not to care (or give) a toss1876
not to give (also care) a fuck1879
je m'en fiche1889
not to care a dit(e)1907
je m'en fous1918
not to give a shit1918
to pay no nevermind1946
not to give a sod1949
not to give (also care) a monkey's (fuck)1960
not to give a stuff1974
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) vi. 139 I departed fro my londe poure & exyled, but I dyd not care for it.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Matt. xxii. 16 Master we knowe that thou..carest for no man.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. ii. sig. O2v Ne ought he car'd, whom he endamaged By tortious wrong.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) i. i. 15 What cares these roarers for the name of King? View more context for this quotation
1633 P. Fletcher Piscatorie Eclogs v. iii. 28 in Purple Island Full little caren they To make their milkie mothers bleating stay.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 145. ⁋4 The young Man is rich, and, as the Vulgar say, needs not care for any body.
1748 J. Thomson Castle of Indolence ii. iii I care not, Fortune, what you me deny.
1774 O. Goldsmith Grecian Hist. II. ii. 61 This important pass, which Philip did not care attempting to force.
1816 J. Wilson City of Plague ii. iv. 174 In thy embrace what do I care for death.
1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues II. 11 Cephalus appears not to care about riches.
1872 J. Morley Voltaire i. 3 Men had almost ceased to care whether there be any moral order or not.
1883 ‘G. Lloyd’ Ebb & Flow I. 18 I don't care what people say.
(b) with some strengthening word, as a pin, a button, a straw, a rush, a fig, a farthing, a rap, etc.
ΚΠ
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. ii. sig. B4v He..cared not for God or man a point.
1633 S. Marmion Fine Compan. ii. i. 68 I do not care a pin for her.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 50 I do not care a farthing for you.
1762 O. Goldsmith Citizen of World I. 198 Not that I care three dams what figure I may cut.
1828 Thaumaturgus 23 If for the truth you care a button.
1856 R. A. Vaughan Hours with Mystics (1860) I. 4 A subject..for which not ten of your friends care a straw.
1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda II. iv. xxviii. 209 I don't care a toss where you are.
1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda II. iv. xxviii. 211 You suppose I care a damn for that?
1880 C. H. Spurgeon Treasury of David (new ed.) II. 4 Pharisees care not a fig for the Lord's hearing them.
(c) Scottish. to care na by: not to care about (it).
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1787 R. Burns Poems (new ed.) 324 Come weel come woe, I care na by.
1788 E. Picken Poems & Epist. 189 Alake, she cared na by.
(d) Colloquial phrase (I, etc.) couldn't care less: (I am, etc.) completely uninterested, utterly indifferent; frequently as phrase used attributively. Hence couldn't-care-less-ness.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > indifference > [phrase] > expression of indifference
what reck?a1513
a foutre for1600
God pays1605
san fairy ann1919
for all I care1934
so what?1934
(I, etc.) couldn't care less1946
see if I care1947
(I, etc.) could care less1966
1946 A. Phelps (title) ‘I couldn't care less.’
1947 B. Marshall Red Danube vi. 53 The couldn't-care-less boys, the chaps who imagined that now that the war was over there was no need for further effort.
1947 People 22 June 2/4 If I suggest that it should be good because the book was by a top-line author she simply couldn't care less.
1955 Ess. in Crit. 5 76 Exhibiting a vulgar couldn't-carelessness.
1957 F. King Man on Rock iv. 120 The phrase he most used was ‘I couldn't care less’: which seemed to sum up his character.
1965 Times Lit Suppl. 25 Nov. 1083/1 The couldn't-care-less attitude of people with little to lose.
(e) U.S. colloquial phrase (I, etc.) could care less = sense (c) above, with omission of negative.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > indifference > [phrase] > expression of indifference
what reck?a1513
a foutre for1600
God pays1605
san fairy ann1919
for all I care1934
so what?1934
(I, etc.) couldn't care less1946
see if I care1947
(I, etc.) could care less1966
1966 Seattle Post-Intelligencer 1 Nov. 21/2 My husband is a lethargic, indecisive guy who drifts along from day to day. If a bill doesn't get paid he could care less.
1973 Washington Post 5 Jan. b1/1 A few crusty-souled Republican senators who could care less about symbolic rewards.
1978 J. Carroll Mortal Friends iii. iii. 281 ‘I hate sneaking past your servants in the morning.’ ‘They know, anyway. They could care less. Thornton mistreats them horribly.’
b. Not to mind (something proposed); to have no disinclination or objection, be disposed to. Now only with if, though.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > indifference > be indifferent or show indifference to [verb (transitive)]
keepc1175
to give (little, nought, etc.) ofc1300
care1526
to cast one's cap at1546
value1591
slight1618
perfunctorize1866
not to give (also care) a fuck1879
to give a motherfuck1967
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Fii Some for a fewe tythes, with Cayn, careth nat to lese the eternall ryches of heuen.
1594 C. Marlowe & T. Nashe Dido iv. sig. Fv So youle loue me, I care not if I doe.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 i. ii. 126 I care not if I doe become your phisitian.
1611 J. Florio Queen Anna's New World of Words Scrócca il fuso..a light-heeled trull that cares not to horne hir husband.
1646 J. Row Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1842) 324 We care not to lett you see what we wrot up to the King.
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa V. xx. 179 Will you eat, or drink, friend?.. I don't care if I do.
1841 W. Gresley Charles Lever 58 I don't care if I go with you for once.
5. To have a regard or liking for. Originally only in neg. or interrog. constructions (‘not to regard’ as in 4a); now also in affirmative, but usually as the alternative or negative of an implied negation.
a. To have a regard, liking, or inclination for (a thing); to be inclined or disposed to, to think it worth while to do.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > wish or be disposed or inclined [verb]
willeOE
listc1200
to be of (also in) (a) minda1325
to will well that1340
likea1375
to find in one's hearta1393
to have a minda1400
pleasec1450
set1470
to have a mind1530
care1560
fadge1592
please1611
choose1622
offer1639
to feel like1808
1560 A. L. tr. J. Calvin Serm. Songe Ezechias iii. (R.) He cared for nothing more then that kynde of lyfe.
1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes iii. §4. 189 Malice..onely careth to satisfie its owne venomous humour.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World ix. 275 We..baked of these Roots..but none of us greatly cared for them.
1762 O. Goldsmith Life R. Nash 12 He never cared to give money.
1868 J. H. Blunt Reformation Church of Eng. I. 98 Few cared for reformation; many cared for destruction.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) III. 511 They become rulers in their own city if they care to be.
1883 H. Wace Gospel & Witnesses ii. 36 The main positions for which a Christian writer cares to contend.
b. To have regard, fondness, or attachment for (a person).
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the mind > emotion > love > affection > [verb (transitive)]
gleima1387
carea1533
affectiona1545
affect?a1550
affectionate1565
to have a soft spot for1866
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. Arthur of Brytayn (?1560) lxiii. sig. Oii I care not for hym that is agenst my heart.
1590 T. Lodge Euphues' Golden Legacie (1887) 163 Creep not to her that cares not for thee.
1657 R. Ligon True Hist. Barbados 47 He never car'd much for her afterward.
1750 Lady Hervey in Bk. of Days II. 299 I dread to see people I care for quite easy and happy.
1878 Mrs. H. Wood Pomeroy Abbey I. vi. 93 She was sure she cared for the lord at heart.
6. transitive in various senses:† a. To cause care to, trouble. Obsolete.† b. To care for, regard. Obsolete.
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c1420 Iudicium (1822) 13 The day is comen of Catyfnes all those to care that ar uncleyn.
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c1230 Hali Meid. 29 Lutel þarf þe carien for þin anes liueneð.]
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Miller's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 112 Nay ther of care thee noght quod Nicholas.
c1565 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. 301 (Jam.) He cares you not in his just quarrell.
1612 King James VI & I in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. i. 266 III. 106 Ye littill care youre olde freindis.
c. To take care of, guard, preserve with care. dialect.
ΚΠ
1881 Mrs. P. O'Donoghue Ladies on Horseback vi. 84 If you care your things..it is surprising how long they may be made to serve.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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v.OE