abuse: Meaning and Definition of

a•buse

1. to use wrongly or improperly; misuse: to abuse one's authority.
2. to treat in a harmful, injurious, or offensive way: to abuse a horse; to abuse one's eyesight.
3. to speak insultingly, harshly, and unjustly to or about; revile; malign.
4. to commit sexual assault upon.
5. to deceive or mislead.
6. to masturbate.

1. wrong or improper use; misuse: the abuse of privileges.
2. harshly or coarsely insulting language: The officer heaped abuse on his men.
3. bad or improper treatment; maltreatment: The child was subjected to cruel abuse.
4. a corrupt or improper practice or custom: the abuses of a totalitarian regime.
5. rape or sexual assault.
6. deception.