GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Abuse , 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.]
   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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   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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   To revile; to reproach coarsely; to disparage.
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   The . . . tellers of news abused the general.
   Macaulay.
   
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   To dishonor. “Shall flight abuse your name?”  
   Shak.
   
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   To violate; to ravish.
   Spenser.
   
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   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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2.       
   Abuse , n. [F. abus, L. abusus, fr. abuti. See Abuse, v. t.]
   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.
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   Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty, as well as by the abuses of power.
   Madison.
   
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   Physical ill treatment; injury. “Rejoice . . . at the abuse of Falstaff.”  
   Shak.
   
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   A corrupt practice or custom; offense; crime; fault; as, the abuses in the civil service.
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   Abuse after disappeared without a struggle..
   Macaulay.
   
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   Vituperative words; coarse, insulting speech; abusive language; virulent condemnation; reviling.
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   The two parties, after exchanging a good deal of abuse, came to blows.
   Macaulay.
   
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   Violation; rape; as, abuse of a female child. [Obs.]
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   Or is it some abuse, and no such thing?
   Shak.
   
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   Abuse of distress (Law), a wrongful using of an animal or chattel distrained, by the distrainer.
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   Syn. -- Invective; contumely; reproach; scurrility; insult; opprobrium.  -- Abuse, Invective. Abuse is generally prompted by anger, and vented in harsh and unseemly words. It is more personal and coarse than invective. Abuse generally takes place in private quarrels; invective in writing or public discussions. Invective may be conveyed in refined language and dictated by indignation against what is blameworthy.  
   C. J. Smith.
   
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