a|buse

a|buse «verb. uh BYOOZ; noun. uh BYOOS», verb, a|bused, a|bus|ing, noun.

–v.t.

1. to use wrongly; make bad use of; misuse: »

Do not abuse the privilege of using the library by loud talking.

2. to treat badly; mistreat: »

The angry boy abused his dog by beating it. Don't abuse your eyes by reading in a bad light

SYNONYM(S): injure.

3. to use harsh and insulting language about or to: »

Instead of debating the issues the candidates abused each other.

SYNONYM(S): revile, malign.

4. Archaic. to impose on; mislead; deceive.

╂[< Old French abuser < abus; see noun]

–n.

1. a wrong or bad use: »

Talking too loud is an abuse of your library privileges. The people hated the wicked king for his abuse of power.

SYNONYM(S): misapplication, misuse.

2. harsh or severe treatment: »

The abuse of the helpless prisoner made him bitter.

SYNONYM(S): injury.

3. a bad practice or custom: »

Slavery is an abuse. Abuses multiply when citizens are indifferent.

4. harsh and insulting language. SYNONYM(S): vituperation.

5. Archaic. deception.

╂[< Old French abus, learned borrowing from Latin abūsus, -ūs a wasting < abūtī misuse < ab- away + ūtī use]

–a|bus´a|ble, adjective.

–a|bus´er, noun.