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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

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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Abuse \A*buse"\, n. [F. abus, L. abusus, fr. abuti. See {Abuse},
v. t.]
1. 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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2. Physical ill treatment; injury. "Rejoice . . . at the
abuse of Falstaff." --Shak.
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3. 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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4. 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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5. 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.

Usage: {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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