browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
more about abusing
abusing |
1 definition 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.
more about abusing