Abuse

Abuse A*buse", n. [F. abus, L. abusus, fr. abuti. See {Abuse}, v. t.] 1. Improper treatment or use; application to a wrong or bad purpose; misuse; as, an abuse of our natural powers; an abuse of civil rights, or of privileges or advantages; an abuse of language. [1913 Webster]

Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty, as well as by the abuses of power. --Madison. [1913 Webster]

2. Physical ill treatment; injury. ``Rejoice . . . at the abuse of Falstaff.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. A corrupt practice or custom; offense; crime; fault; as, the abuses in the civil service. [1913 Webster]

Abuse after disappeared without a struggle.. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

4. Vituperative words; coarse, insulting speech; abusive language; virulent condemnation; reviling. [1913 Webster]

The two parties, after exchanging a good deal of abuse, came to blows. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

5. Violation; rape; as, abuse of a female child. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Or is it some abuse, and no such thing? --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{Abuse of distress} (Law), a wrongful using of an animal or chattel distrained, by the distrainer. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Invective; contumely; reproach; scurrility; insult; opprobrium.

Usage: {Abuse}, {Invective}. Abuse is generally prompted by anger, and vented in harsh and unseemly words. It is more personal and coarse than invective. Abuse generally takes place in private quarrels; invective in writing or public discussions. Invective may be conveyed in refined language and dictated by indignation against what is blameworthy. --C. J. Smith. [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Synonyms:

Misuse, misemploy, misapply, pervert, prostitute, desecrate, dishonor, profane, pollute, make an ill use of, deceive, impose on, betray, cajole, seduce by cajolery, Misapplication, misuse, misemployment, dishonor, dishonoring, profanation, prostitution, desecration, pollution, perversion, ill-use / Maltreat, harm, injure, hurt, ill-treat, ill-use, Maltreatment, outrage, ill-treatment, bad treatment / Revile, reproach, vilify, slander, traduce, defame, asperse, inveigh against, carp at, malign, blacken, disparage, berate, rate, betongue, upbraid, calumniate, lampoon, satirize, lash, pasquinade, rail at, sneer at, speak ill of, calumniate, treat with contumely, pour contumely on, Corrupt practice, malfeasance, malversation / Violate, outrage, ravish, deflour, Vituperation, railing, reviling, vilification, defamation, aspersion, disparagement, rating, upbraiding, contumely, obloquy, opprobrium, insult, scurrility, ribaldry, foul invective, rude reproach, billingsgate

Look at other dictionaries:

abuse — 1 /ə byüz/ vt abused, abus·ing 1: to put to a use other than the one intended: as a: to put to a bad or unfair use abusing the powers of office b: to put to improper or excessive use abuse narcotics … Law dictionary
abuse — vb Abuse, misuse, mistreat, maltreat, ill treat, outrage all denote to use or treat a person or thing improperly or wrongfully. Abuse and misuse are capable of wider use than the others, for they do not invariably imply either deliberateness or… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
abuse — noun. This has developed a sinister violent meaning, ‘maltreatment or (especially sexual) assault of a person’, and is now widely familiar in the specific context of child abuse, of which various aspects include physical abuse, domestic abuse,… … Modern English usage
Abuse — Éditeur Origin Systems, Electronic Arts Développeur Crack dot Com … Wikipédia en Français
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… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
abuse — Ⅰ. abuse UK US /əˈbjuːs/ noun ► [C or U] a situation in which a person uses something in a bad or wrong way, especially for their own advantage or pleasure: »The former president has been accused of corruption and abuse of power. »The politician… … Financial and business terms
abuse — [n1] wrong use corruption, crime, debasement, delinquency, desecration, exploitation, fault, injustice, misapplication, misconduct, misdeed, mishandling, mismanage, misuse, offense, perversion, prostitution, sin, wrong, wrongdoing; concept 156… … New thesaurus
abusé — abusé, ée (a bu zé, zée) 1° Part. passé. Trompé. Abusé par de vaines promesses. Abusé sur l état des choses. Abusé et dépouillé. • Nous étions bien abusés, PASC. Prov. 11. • En vain du sang des rois dont je suis l oppresseur, Les peuples… … Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré
Abuse Me — may refer to:ongs* Abuse Me (Silverchair Song) a single by Silverchair from their 1997 album Freak Show. * Abuse Me a bonus song by Sevendust from their 2007 album Alpha … Wikipedia
abuse — abuse; dis·abuse; … English syllables

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Abuse

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Abuse

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