abuse

abuse
   the use of a person or object for a taboo or illegal purpose
   Literally, any kind of maltreatment or misuse.
    Descriptive as both noun and verb of sexual activity, especially by adults with children: If Mayhew's figures for the abuse of children are suspect, so are his figures for rape. (Pearsall, 1969)
    ... the cases for 'carnally abusing' girls between the ages of ten and twelve were a mere fifty-six, (ibid.)
   To abuse yourself is to masturbate, of either sex, and see self-abuse.
   Abuse is also descriptive of the illegal ingestion of narcotics or the excessive consumption of alcohol:
    ... both now dead... Anthony from drink and 'abuse' in Dublin. (A. Clark, 1993)

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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  • abuse — 1 /ə byüz/ vt abused, abus·ing 1: to put to a use other than the one intended: as a: to put to a bad or unfair use abusing the powers of office b: to put to improper or excessive use abuse narcotics …   Law dictionary

  • abuse — vb Abuse, misuse, mistreat, maltreat, ill treat, outrage all denote to use or treat a person or thing improperly or wrongfully. Abuse and misuse are capable of wider use than the others, for they do not invariably imply either deliberateness or… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Abuse — A*buse , n. [F. abus, L. abusus, fr. abuti. See {Abuse}, v. t.] 1. Improper treatment or use; application to a wrong or bad purpose; misuse; as, an abuse of our natural powers; an abuse of civil rights, or of privileges or advantages; an abuse of …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • abuse — noun. This has developed a sinister violent meaning, ‘maltreatment or (especially sexual) assault of a person’, and is now widely familiar in the specific context of child abuse, of which various aspects include physical abuse, domestic abuse,… …   Modern English usage

  • Abuse — Éditeur Origin Systems, Electronic Arts Développeur Crack dot Com …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Abuse — A*buse , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abused}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Abusing}.] [F. abuser; L. abusus, p. p. of abuti to abuse, misuse; ab + uti to use. See {Use}.] 1. To put to a wrong use; to misapply; to misuse; to put to a bad use; to use for a wrong… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • abuse — Ⅰ. abuse UK US /əˈbjuːs/ noun ► [C or U] a situation in which a person uses something in a bad or wrong way, especially for their own advantage or pleasure: »The former president has been accused of corruption and abuse of power. »The politician… …   Financial and business terms

  • abuse — [n1] wrong use corruption, crime, debasement, delinquency, desecration, exploitation, fault, injustice, misapplication, misconduct, misdeed, mishandling, mismanage, misuse, offense, perversion, prostitution, sin, wrong, wrongdoing; concept 156… …   New thesaurus

  • abusé — abusé, ée (a bu zé, zée) 1°   Part. passé. Trompé. Abusé par de vaines promesses. Abusé sur l état des choses. Abusé et dépouillé. •   Nous étions bien abusés, PASC. Prov. 11. •   En vain du sang des rois dont je suis l oppresseur, Les peuples… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • Abuse Me — may refer to:ongs* Abuse Me (Silverchair Song) a single by Silverchair from their 1997 album Freak Show. * Abuse Me a bonus song by Sevendust from their 2007 album Alpha …   Wikipedia

  • abuse — abuse; dis·abuse; …   English syllables

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