Homonym: curses (Profanity)
A curse is a spoken or written wish for misfortune to befall someone or something. It often involves invoking supernatural powers or deities to bring about harm or bad luck. Curses can be found in various cultures and are often associated with folklore, magic, and superstition.
In literature and movies, curses are commonly used as plot devices, such as the Mummy's Curse or the Curse of the Pharaohs. They can also appear in fairy tales, where characters may be cursed to sleep for a hundred years or transformed into animals. Curses reflect human fears and the desire to explain misfortune.