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(), 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; vitupera Abuse" (), 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; スポンサード リンク
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