Abuse

What “Abuse” means

Noun

1. Improper treatment or usage; application to a wrong or bad purpose; an unjust, corrupt or wrongful practice or custom.
2. Misuse; improper use; perversion.
3. A delusion; an imposture; misrepresentation; deception.
4. Coarse, insulting speech; abusive language; language that unjustly or angrily vilifies.
5. Catachresis.

Verb

1. To put to a wrong use; to misapply; to use improperly; to use for a wrong purpose or end; to pervert
2. To injure; to maltreat; to hurt; to treat with cruelty, especially repeatedly.
3. To attack with coarse language; to insult; to revile; malign; to speak in an offensive manner to or about someone; to disparage.
4. To imbibe a drug for a purpose other than it was intended; to intentionally take more of a drug than was prescribed for recreational reasons; to take illegal drugs habitually.
5. To violate; defile; to rape; (reflexive) to masturbate.

Where the word comes from

From Middle English abusen, then from either Old French abus (“improper use”), or from Latin abūsus (“misused, using up”), perfect active participle of abūtor (“make improper use of, consume, abuse”), from ab (“away”) + ūtor (“to use”). Equivalent to ab- + use.

From Middle English abusen, from Middle French abuser, from Latin abūsus (“misused, using up”), perfect active participle of abūtor (“to use up, misuse, consume”), from ab (“from, away from”) + ūtor (“to use”).

Business name ideas with “Abuse”

Industries where “Abuse” fits

We suggest this word for 2 business types and industries, including:

• Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals
• Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals