n.
Pronunciation: ə - ' byüs
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French abus, from Latin abusus, from abuti to consume, from ab- + uti to use
Date: 15th century
1 : a corrupt practice or custom
2 : improper or excessive use or treatment : MISUSE <drug abuse > < abuse of tranquilizers>
3 obsolete : a deceitful act : DECEPTION
4 : language that condemns or vilifies usually unjustly, intemperately, and angrily
5 : physical maltreatment
synonyms ABUSE , VITUPERATION , INVECTIVE , OBLOQUY , BILLINGSGATE mean vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval. ABUSE the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language <scathing verbal abuse >. VITUPERATION implies fluent and sustained abuse <a torrent of vituperation >. INVECTIVE implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation <blistering political invective >. OBLOQUY suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace <subjected to obloquy and derision>. BILLINGSGATE implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse <directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver>.