- Abuse
- Abuse A*buse", v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abused}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Abusing}.] [F. abuser; L. abusus, p. p. of abuti to abuse,
misuse; ab + uti to use. See {Use}.]
1. To put to a wrong use; to misapply; to misuse; to put to a
bad use; to use for a wrong purpose or end; to pervert;
as, to abuse inherited gold; to make an excessive use of;
as, to abuse one's authority.
[1913 Webster]
This principle (if one may so abuse the word) shoots rapidly into popularity. --Froude. [1913 Webster]
2. To use ill; to maltreat; to act injuriously to; to punish or to tax excessively; to hurt; as, to abuse prisoners, to abuse one's powers, one's patience. [1913 Webster]
3. To revile; to reproach coarsely; to disparage. [1913 Webster]
The . . . tellers of news abused the general. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
4. To dishonor. ``Shall flight abuse your name?'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]
5. To violate; to ravish. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
6. To deceive; to impose on. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
Their eyes red and staring, cozened with a moist cloud, and abused by a double object. --Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster]
Syn: To maltreat; injure; revile; reproach; vilify; vituperate; asperse; traduce; malign. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
