2 abuse
Pronounced:
/əˈbju:s/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural abus·esMeaning:
1 : the act or practice of abusing someone or something: such as a : harmful treatment of a person or animal [noncount] ▪ He subjected his wife to physical and emotional abuse. ▪ child abuse ▪ sexual abuse [plural] ▪ The government has been accused of human rights abuses. [=of violating the basic rights of people by treating them wrongly] b [noncount] : the use or treatment of something in a way that causes damage ▪ his abuse [=mistreatment] of his body through poor eating habits ▪ These toys can stand up to a lot of abuse. [=can be handled roughly without being damaged] c : the act or practice of using something wrongly [noncount] ▪ the governor's abuse [=misuse] of his power/privileges [count] ▪ the buying of votes and other election abuses d [noncount] : the act or practice of using too much of a drug, alcohol, etc. ▪ abuse of alcohol ▪ drug/substance abuse
2 [noncount] : harsh and insulting language ▪ She was subjected to every term of abuse her boss could think of. ▪ a torrent/stream of verbal abuse ▪ The prisoner hurled/shouted/screamed abuse at the judge.
2 [noncount] : harsh and insulting language ▪ She was subjected to every term of abuse her boss could think of. ▪ a torrent/stream of verbal abuse ▪ The prisoner hurled/shouted/screamed abuse at the judge.