Abuse

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language

·vt Physical ill treatment; injury.

II. Abuse ·vt To Dishonor.

III. Abuse ·vt Violation; rape; as, abuse of a female child.

IV. Abuse ·vt To Deceive; to impose on.

V. Abuse ·vt To Violate; to Ravish.

VI. Abuse ·vt A corrupt practice or custom; offense; crime; fault; as, the abuses in the civil service.

VII. Abuse ·vt To Revile; to reproach coarsely; to Disparage.

VIII. Abuse ·vt Vituperative words; coarse, insulting speech; abusive language; virulent condemnation; reviling.

IX. Abuse ·vt 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.

X. Abuse ·vt 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.

XI. Abuse ·vt 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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