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
2 a: to inflict physical or emotional mistreatment or injury on (as one's child) purposely or through negligence or neglect and often on a regular basis
b: to engage in sexual activity with (a child under an age specified by statute)
3: to attack harshly with words
abuse a police officer
abuse a debtor
abus·er n
abuse 2 /ə-'byüs/ n
1: improper, unfair, or excessive use
abuse of authority
2 a: the infliction of physical or emotional injury; also: the crime of inflicting such injury see also battered child syndrome, battered woman's syndrome compare cruelty, neglect
b: sexual abuse
3: a verbal attack (as on a police officer in the performance of his or her duty); also: the crime of making such an attack
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.