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.
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This principle (if one may so abuse the word) shoots
rapidly into popularity. --Froude.
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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.
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3. To revile; to reproach coarsely; to disparage.
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The . . . tellers of news abused the general.
--Macaulay.
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4. To dishonor. "Shall flight abuse your name?" --Shak.
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5. To violate; to ravish. --Spenser.
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6. To deceive; to impose on. [Obs.]
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Their eyes red and staring, cozened with a moist
cloud, and abused by a double object. --Jer. Taylor.
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Syn: To maltreat; injure; revile; reproach; vilify;
vituperate; asperse; traduce; malign.
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