Abusable


to use wrongly or improperly; misuse:
to abuse one’s authority.
to treat in a harmful, injurious, or offensive way:
to abuse a horse; to abuse one’s eyesight.
to speak insultingly, harshly, and unjustly to or about; revile; malign.
to commit sexual assault upon.
Obsolete. to deceive or mislead.
wrong or improper use; misuse:
the abuse of privileges.
harshly or coarsely insulting language:
The officer heaped abuse on his men.
bad or improper treatment; maltreatment:
The child was subjected to cruel abuse.
a corrupt or improper practice or custom:
the abuses of a totalitarian regime.
rape or sexual assault.
Obsolete, .
abuse oneself, to masturbate.
verb (transitive) (əˈbjuːz)
to use incorrectly or improperly; misuse
to maltreat, esp physically or sexually
to speak insultingly or cruelly to; revile
(reflexive) to masturbate
noun (əˈbjuːs)
improper, incorrect, or excessive use; misuse
maltreatment of a person; injury
insulting, contemptuous, or coarse speech
an evil, unjust, or corrupt practice
See child abuse
(archaic) a deception
v.

early 15c., “to misuse, misapply,” from Middle French abuser, from Vulgar Latin *abusare, from Latin abusus “an abusing, using up,” past participle of abuti “use up,” also “misuse,” from ab- “away” (see ab-) + uti “use” (see use). Of sexual situations from early 15c., but originally incest, homosexuality, prostitution, etc.; meaning “to misuse sexually, ravish” is from 1550s. Specifically of drugs, from 1968. Related: Abused; abusing.
n.

mid-15c., “improper practice,” from Old French abus (14c.), from Latin abusus (see abuse (v.)). Earlier in Middle English was abusion “wicked act or practice, shameful thing, violation of decency” (early 14c.), “an insult” (mid-14c.).

abuse a·buse (ə-byōōz’)
v. a·bused, a·bus·ing, a·bus·es

To use wrongly or improperly; misuse.

To hurt or injure physically by maltreatment.

To assail with contemptuous, coarse, or insulting words; revile.

n. (ə-byōōs’)

Improper use or handling, as of a drug; misuse.

Physical maltreatment, as of a spouse or child.

Insulting or coarse language.

a·bus’er n.

Read Also:

  • Abusage

    improper use of words; unidiomatic or ungrammatical language.

  • Abuser

    to use wrongly or improperly; misuse: to abuse one’s authority. to treat in a harmful, injurious, or offensive way: to abuse a horse; to abuse one’s eyesight. to speak insultingly, harshly, and unjustly to or about; revile; malign. to commit sexual assault upon. Obsolete. to deceive or mislead. wrong or improper use; misuse: the abuse […]

  • Abusing

    to use wrongly or improperly; misuse: to abuse one’s authority. to treat in a harmful, injurious, or offensive way: to abuse a horse; to abuse one’s eyesight. to speak insultingly, harshly, and unjustly to or about; revile; malign. to commit sexual assault upon. Obsolete. to deceive or mislead. wrong or improper use; misuse: the abuse […]

  • Abusive

    using, containing, or characterized by harshly or coarsely insulting language: an abusive author; abusive remarks. treating badly or injuriously; mistreating, especially physically: his abusive handling of the horse. wrongly used; corrupt: an abusive exercise of power. Contemporary Examples Mary Williams filed an appeal to the IRS in tax court last year, blaming her “controlling, abusive” […]

  • Abusive relationship

    noun a state of affairs between two people characterized by wrong or improper action, either physical or verbal Examples If you feel you are in an abusive relationship, take it seriously. Talk to someone; get help. Contemporary Examples She had fallen deeper into depression, feeling that she was hopelessly trapped in an abusive relationship. Whitey […]


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