the activity of looking after someone or something so they stay safe and healthy
Proper medical care saved the climber's life after the accident.
Young trees need regular care in their first year.
✦ Old English caru, cearu “anxiety, burden, sorrow,” later also “attention, carefulness.” Over time the sense of protective attention replaced the older meaning of worry.
to feel that something is important or to have a strong interest or affection
I don't care what people think about my clothes.
Do you care about environmental issues?
✦ Verb sense of holding something dear emerged in Middle English, influenced by Old French ‘carer’.
attention and caution you use so that you do not make mistakes or damage something
Handle the crystal glasses with extreme care.
She drove with care on the icy roads.
✦ Extended from the older sense of “sorrow” to the idea of watchful attention by the 16th century.
responsibility for looking after someone or something under your charge
The teacher has the care of twenty energetic students.
After the storm, the injured bird was left in her care.
✦ Sense of guardianship appeared in Middle English legal documents when property or people were placed ‘in care’.
to look after someone or something and keep them healthy, safe, or in good condition
Nurses care for patients day and night.
Could you care for my plants while I'm away?
✦ Transitive sense of providing physical help became common in the 19th century with professional nursing.
a feeling of worry or trouble that makes you anxious
She tried to let go of her cares and enjoy the concert.
Grandfather's face was lined with years of care.
✦ This is the earliest sense, from Proto-Germanic *karō meaning grief or lament.
(formal) to be willing or have the desire to do something, used in polite offers or invitations
"Would you care to join us for dinner?" asked the host.
If you care to look, the answer is on page ten.
✦ Polite modal-like use arose in the 18th century as a gentler alternative to “want”.
To move forward rapidly and out of control, often in a dangerous way.
The truck careered down the icy hill, scattering snow everywhere.
A soccer ball careered across the playground and hit the fence.
✦ Same origin as the noun: from the idea of a horse racing ‘full career’ along a track, later applied to uncontrolled motion.
in a thorough and attentive way, so that every detail is checked or considered
Please read the instructions carefully before starting the test.
The detective examined the clue carefully.
✦ From the adjective “careful” + adverbial suffix “-ly,” first recorded in Middle English.
to make someone feel suddenly afraid, or to become suddenly afraid yourself
The loud thunder scared the baby, and she started to cry.
Don't scare the cat by shouting; it might scratch you.
✦ From Middle English "skerren" or "skierren", of Scandinavian origin related to Old Norse "skirra" meaning "to frighten away".
a sudden feeling of fear or the moment that causes it
I got a real scare when I thought I had lost my passport.
The children jumped out from behind the door to give their dad a scare.
✦ Same origin as the verb: Middle English Scandinavian influence meaning a sudden fright.
