A·buse v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abused p. pr. & vb. n. Abusing.]
 1. To put to a wrong use; to misapply; to misuse; to put to a bad use; to use for a wrong purpose or end; to pervert; as, to abuse inherited gold; to make an excessive use of; as, to abuse one's authority.
    This principle (if one may so abuse the word) shoots rapidly into popularity.   --Froude.
 2. To use ill; to maltreat; to act injuriously to; to punish or to tax excessively; to hurt; as, to abuse prisoners, to abuse one's powers, one's patience.
 3. To revile; to reproach coarsely; to disparage.
    The . . . tellers of news abused the general.   --Macaulay.
 4. To dishonor. “Shall flight abuse your name?”
 5. To violate; to ravish.
 6. To deceive; to impose on. [Obs.]
    Their eyes red and staring, cozened with a moist cloud, and abused by a double object.   --Jer. Taylor.
 Syn: -- To maltreat; injure; revile; reproach; vilify; vituperate; asperse; traduce; malign.