Abuseabuse

verb |ə’byooz| [ trans. ]

1 use (something) to bad effect or for a bad purpose; misuse: the judge abused his power by imposing the fines.• make excessive and habitual use of (alcohol or drugs, esp. illegal ones).2 treat (a person or an animal) with cruelty or violence, esp. regularly or repeatedly: riders who abuse their horses should be prosecuted.• assault (someone, esp. a woman or child) sexually : he was a depraved man who had abused his two young daughters | [as adj. ] ( abused) abused children.• use or treat in such a way as to cause damage or harm : he had been abusing his body for years.• speak in an insulting and offensive way to or about (someone) : the referee was abused by players from both teams.