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more about abuse
abuse |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. This principle (if one may so abuse the word) shoots rapidly into popularity. --Froude. 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. 3. To revile; to reproach coarsely; to disparage. The . . . tellers of news abused the general. --Macaulay. 4. To dishonor. ``Shall flight abuse your name?'' --Shak. 5. To violate; to ravish. --Spenser. 6. To deceive; to impose on [Obs.] Their eyes red and staring, cozened with a moist cloud, and abused by a double object. --Jer. Taylor. Syn: To maltreat; injure; revile; reproach; vilify; vituperate; asperse; traduce; malign. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty, as well as by the abuses of power. --Madison. 2. Physical ill treatment; injury. ``Rejoice . . . at the abuse of Falstaff.'' --Shak. 3. A corrupt practice or custom; offense; crime; fault; as the abuses in the civil service. Abuse after disappeared without a struggle.. --Macaulay. 4. Vituperative words coarse, insulting speech; abusive language; virulent condemnation; reviling. The two parties, after exchanging a good deal of abuse, came to blows. --Macaulay. 5. Violation; rape; as abuse of a female child. [Obs.] Or is it some abuse, and no such thing? --Shak. {Abuse of distress} (Law), a wrongful using of an animal or chattel distrained, by the distrainer. 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. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: abuse n 1: cruel or inhumane treatment [syn: {maltreatment}, {ill-treatment}, {ill-usage}] 2: a rude expression intended to offend or hurt; "when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse"; "they yelled insults at the visiting team" [syn: {insult}, {revilement}, {contumely}] 3: improper or excessive use [syn: {misuse}] v 1: treat badly [syn: {mistreat}, {maltreat}, {ill-use}, {ill-treat}] 2: change the inherent purpose or function of something [syn: {pervert}, {misuse}] 3: use foul or abusive language towards; "The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket"; "The angry mother shouted at the teacher" [syn: {clapperclaw}, {blackguard}, {shout}]
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