I. (ˈ)mi|shüz, (ˈ)mis|yüz transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English misusen, partly from mis- (I) + usen to use; partly from Middle French mesuser to abuse, use wrongly, from Old French, from mes- mis- (I) + user to use — more at use
1. : to use incorrectly or carelessly : misapply
misuses words in such number that it is impossible to understand him
2. : to use for a wrong or improper purpose
misuses his talents
possibility that the members would misuse the organization for inhumane and selfish purposes — Raphael Demos
regards a battle as a major occasion for misusing his social position — William Empson
3. : to do harm to : abuse , mistreat
the intent of this regulation is highly commendable, namely to keep the Indians from being misused — C.B.Hitchcock
II. (ˈ)mi|shüs, (ˈ)mis|yüs noun
Etymology: Middle English, partly from mis- (I) + use; partly from Middle French mesus abuse, wrong use, from mes- mis- (I) + us use — more at use
1. : incorrect or careless use : misapplication
the first statement involves a misuse of the verb “to create” — Arthur Pap
the misuse of words which are actually in the language — Barrett Wendell
2. : wrong or improper use
intended to keep their secret until adequate controls against its misuse had been devised — Vera M. Dean