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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Abuse

A-būse', v. t.

verbtransitive

(būz'), v. t. [imp. & p. p. ABUSED; p. pr. & vb. n. ABUSING.] [Fr. abuser, Pr. & Sp. abuser, It. abusare, from Lat. abusus, P. p. of abuti, from ab and uti*, to use. q. v.]

Sense 1. To make an ill or improper use of; to use ill; to misuse; to use with bad motives, to wrong purposes, or in a wrong way; as, to abuse one's rights or privileges; to abuse words.

They that use this world as not abusing it. 1 Cor. vii. 31.

Sense 2. To treat rudely, or with reproachful language; to maltreat; to revile.

Sense 3. To deceive or impose on.

Their eyes red and staring, cozened with a moist cloud, and abused by a double object. P. Taylor.

Synonyms— To maltreat; injure; deceive; cheat; revile; reproach; vilify.

A-būse', n.

noun

n. [Lat. abusus, Fr. & Pr. abus, Sp., Pg., & It. abuso. See supra.]

Sense 1. Ill use; improper treatment or employment; application to a wrong purpose; as, an abuse of our natural powers; an abuse of civil rights, or of religious privileges; abuse of advantages; an abuse of words.

Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty, as well as by the abuses of power. Madison.

Sense 2. A corrupt practice or custom; as, the abuses of government.

Sense 3. Rude speech; reproachful language addressed to a person; contumely; reviling words. Milton.

Sense 4. Violation of a female. [Obs.]

After the abuse he forsook me. Sidney.

Sense 5. Deceitful practice; deception. [Obs.]

Though such a person may have the good fortune to admire a good man and a wise, yet it is an ill disposition, and makes him liable to every man's abuse. Bp. Taylor.

Synonyms— Invective; contumely; reproach; scurrility; insult; opprobrium. — ABUSE, INVECTIVE. These words, as here compared, are applied to the language of insult uttered under different circumstances of excitement. Abuse is generally prompted by anger, and vented in words; invective is more frequently used in writing, or in public debate. Abuse generally takes place in private quarrels; invective in discussions before the public. Abuse is the weapon of the vulgar; invective is the instrument of the higher orders.

I, dark in light, exposed To daily fraud, contempt, abuse, and wrong. Milton.

And more to make him publicly despised, Libels, invectives, railing rhymes were sowed Among the vulgar to prepare his fall. Daniel.