ABU'SE, v.t. s as z. [L. abutor, abusus of ab and utor, to use; Gr. to accustom. See Use.] 1. To use ill; to maltreat; to misuse; to use with bad motives or to wrong purposes; as, to abuse rights or privileges.They that use this world as not abusing it. 1Cor. vii.2. To violate; to defile by improper sexual intercourse.3. To deceive; to impose on.Nor be with all these tempting words abused.4. To treat rudely, or with reproachful language; to revile.He mocked and abused them shamefully.5. To pervert the meaning of; to misapply; as to abuse words.ABU'SE, n. Ill use; improper treatment or employment; application to a wrong purpose; as an abuse of our natural powers; an abuse of civil rights, or of religious privileges; abuse of advantages, &c. Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty, as well as by the abuses of power.2. A corrupt practice or custom, as the abuses of government.3. Rude speech; reproachful language addressed to a person; contumely; reviling words.4. Seduction.After the abuse he forsook me.5. Perversion of meaning; improper use or application; as an abuse of words.
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