[abuse] n [ME, fr. MF abus, fr. L abusus, fr. abuti to consume, fr. ab- + uti to use] (15c) 1: a corrupt practice or custom
2: improper or excessive use or treatment: misuse "drug ~" 3 obs: a deceitful act: deception
4: language that condemns or vilifies usu. unjustly, intemperately, and angrily
5: physical maltreatment syn abuse, vituperation, invective, obloquy, billingsgate mean vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval. abuse, the most general term, usu. 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".
[2]abuse vt abused ; abus.ing (15c) 1: to put to a wrong or improper use "~ a privilege"
2. obs: deceive
3: to use so as to injure or damage: maltreat
4: to attack in words: revile -- abus.able adj -- abus.er n