Abuse

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noun

1 the improper use of something:
alcohol abuse | an abuse of public funds.
• unjust or corrupt practice:
protection against fraud and abuse
| human rights abuses.
2 cruel and violent treatment of a person or animal:
a black eye and other signs of physical abuse.
• violent treatment involving sexual assault, esp. on a repeated basis:
young people who have suffered sexual abuse.
3 insulting and offensive language:
waving his fists and hurling abuse at the driver.


verb [ with obj. ]

1 use (something) to bad effect or for a bad purpose; misuse:
the judge abused his power by imposing the fines.
• make excessive and habitual use of (alcohol or drugs, esp. illegal ones).
2 treat (a person or an animal) with cruelty or violence, esp. regularly or repeatedly:
riders who abuse their horses should be prosecuted.
• assault (someone, esp. a woman or child) sexually:
he was a depraved man who had abused his two young daughters | (as adj. abused)
: abused children.
• use or treat in such a way as to cause damage or harm:
he had been abusing his body for years.
3 speak in an insulting and offensive way to or about (someone):
the referee was abused by players from both teams.



New Oxford American Dictionary