Part 64

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To use ill; to maltreat; to act injuriously to; to punish or to tax excessively; to hurt; <as>as, to <ex>abuse</ex> prisoners, to <ex>abuse</ex> one's powers, one's patience</as>.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>To revile; to reproach coarsely; to disparage.</def>

<blockquote>The . . . tellers of news <b>abused</b> the general. <i>Macaulay.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>To dishonor.</def> "Shall flight <i>abuse</i> your name?"

<i>Shak.</i>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>To violate; to ravish.</def>

<i>Spenser.</i>

<p><b>6.</b> <def>To deceive; to impose on.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>Their eyes red and staring, cozened with a moist cloud, and <b>abused</b> by a double object. <i>Jer. Taylor.</i></blockquote>

<syn>Syn. -- To maltreat; injure; revile; reproach; vilify; vituperate; asperse; traduce; malign.</syn>

<h1>Abuse</h1> <Xpage=7>

<hw>A*buse"</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[F. <ets>abus</ets>, L. <ets>abusus</ets>, fr. <ets>abuti</ets>. See <er>Abuse</er>, <tt>v. t.</tt>]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Improper treatment or use; application to a wrong or bad purpose; misuse; <as>as, an <ex>abuse of our natural powers</ex>; <ex>an abuse</ex> of civil rights, or of privileges or advantages; an <ex>abuse</ex> of language.</as></def>

<blockquote>Liberty may be endangered by the <b>abuses</b> of liberty, as well as by the <b>abuses</b> of power. <i>Madison.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Physical ill treatment; injury.</def> "Rejoice . . . at the <i>abuse</i> of Falstaff."

<i>Shak.</i>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>A corrupt practice or custom; offense; crime; fault; <as>as, the <ex>abuses</ex> in the civil service</as>.</def>

<blockquote><b>Abuse</b> after disappeared without a struggle.. <i>Macaulay.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>Vituperative words; coarse, insulting speech; abusive language; virulent condemnation; reviling.</def>

<blockquote>The two parties, after exchanging a good deal of <b>abuse</b>, came to blows. <i>Macaulay.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>Violation; rape; <as>as, <ex>abuse</ex> of a female child</as>.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>Or is it some <b>abuse</b>, and no such thing? <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<cs><col>Abuse of distress</col> <fld>(Law)</fld>, <cd>a wrongful using of an animal or chattel distrained, by the distrainer.</cd></cs>

<syn>Syn. -- Invective; contumely; reproach; scurrility; insult; opprobrium.</syn> <usage> -- <er>Abuse</er>, <er>Invective</er>. <i>Abuse</i> is generally prompted by anger, and vented in harsh and unseemly words. It is more personal and coarse than <i>invective</i>. <i>Abuse</i> generally takes place in private quarrels; <i>invective</i> in writing or public discussions. <i>Invective</i> may be conveyed in refined language and dictated by indignation against what is blameworthy.

<i>C. J. Smith.</i> </usage>

<h1>Abuseful</h1> <Xpage=7>

<hw>A*buse"ful</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Full of abuse; abusive.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark> "<i>Abuseful</i> names."

<i>Bp. Barlow.</i>

<h1>Abuser</h1> <Xpage=7>