1. The work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
   "no medical care was required";
   - attention, aid, tending
    
2. Judiciousness in avoiding harm or danger
   "he handled the vase with care";
   - caution, precaution, forethought
    
3. Attention and management implying responsibility for safety
   "he is in the care of a bodyguard";
   - charge, tutelage, guardianship
    
4. Activity involved in maintaining something in good working order
   "he wrote the manual on car care";
   - maintenance, upkeep
    
5. An anxious feeling
   "care had aged him";
   - concern, fear
    
6. A cause for feeling concern
   "his major care was the illness of his wife"

1. Feel concern or interest
   "I really care about my work"; "I don't care"
    
2. Look after; give medical or emotional help
   "The nurse was caring for the wounded";
   - give care
    
3. To hope, to desire or to prefer to have something, or to do something
   "Do you care to try this dish?";
   - wish, like
    
4. Be in charge of, act on, or dispose of
   "She cares for the estate while the owners are away";
   - manage, deal, handle
    
5. Be concerned with (something considered important)
   "I care about my grades";
   - worry

Derived forms: cared, cares, caring

See also: care for

Type of: aid, anxiety, assist, command, compassionate [N. Amer, rare], condole with, control, desire, feel for, fix, fixing, help, judiciousness, mend, mending, mind, pity, plight, predicament, protection, quandary, repair, reparation [archaic], sympathize with, want, work

Encyclopedia: Care, Peter