A curse (also called a jinx, hex or execration) is any expressed wish that some form of adversity or misfortune will befall or attach to some other entity—one or more persons, a place, or an object. In particular, "curse" may refer to a wish that harm or hurt will be inflicted by any supernatural powers, such as a spell, a prayer, an imprecation, an execration, magic, witchcraft, God, a natural force, or a spirit. In many belief systems, the curse itself (or accompanying ritual) is considered to have some causative force in the result. To reverse or eliminate a curse is called removal or breaking, and is often believed to require equally elaborate rituals or prayers.
The character of Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and his own spin-off series Angel suffered from a rather unique affliction in that he was "cursed" with a soul. As most vampires in the "Buffyverse" no longer possess a human soul, they have no moral compunctions about the acts that they commit. Angel, after having been a vampire for over a century, had amassed quite a reputation for the awful, horrific deeds he had committed. As such, he was cursed by a Gyspy to have his soul returned to him. As such, he now carried the full burden of all of his misdeeds was crushed by the feelings of overwhelming guilt.