Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TREAT, v.t. [Fr. traiter; It. trattare; Sp. tratar; L. tracto; Sax. trahtian.]

1. To handle; to manage; to use. Subjects are usually faithful or treacherous, according as they are well or ill treated. To treat prisoners ill, is the characteristic of barbarians. Let the wife of your bosom be kindly treated.
2. To discourse on. This author treats various subjects of morality.
3. To handle in a particular manner, in writing or speaking; as, to treat a subject diffusely.
4. To entertain without expense to the guest.
5. To negotiate; to settle; as, to treat a peace. [Not in use.] – Dryden.
6. To manage in the application of remedies; as, to treat a disease or a patient.