Definition of treat to

The expression "to treat" dates back to the Middle Ages when it was used to refer to covering medical costs for a patient. The verb 'to treat' originally meant 'to handle' or 'to deal with' in Old English. However, its use as a term for providing medical care became more common as the practice of medicine evolved. The phrase "to treat" first assumed its modern-day meaning in the mid-18th century. It then began to take on the connotation of indulging in pleasurable activities or experiences, as in "treating oneself" or "treating a friend," by the mid-19th century. The expression "to treat" was originally separate from the phrase "to treat to," which appeared in the mid-19th century. Initially used to describe someone giving a gift, particularly an expensive or luxurious one, the phrase evolved to refer to a special or unexpected gift, often of food or drinks, given to someone as a kind gesture or as compensation for something. Overall, the phrase "to treat to" has expanded beyond its original meaning, now encompassing any thoughtful gesture or act of kindness, indicative of the evolution of language and cultural contexts.