Abuse (&unr_;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abused (&unr_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Abusing.] [F. abuser; L. abusus, p. p. of abuti to abuse, misuse; ab + uti to use. See Use.] 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.
[1913 Webster]

This principle (if one may so abuse the word) shoots rapidly into popularity. Froude.
[1913 Webster]

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.
[1913 Webster]

3. To revile; to reproach coarsely; to disparage.
[1913 Webster]

The . . . tellers of news abused the general. Macaulay.
[1913 Webster]

4. To dishonor. “Shall flight abuse your name?” Shak.
[1913 Webster]

5. To violate; to ravish. Spenser.
[1913 Webster]

6. To deceive; to impose on. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]

Their eyes red and staring, cozened with a moist cloud, and abused by a double object. Jer. Taylor.
[1913 Webster]

Syn. -- To maltreat; injure; revile; reproach; vilify; vituperate; asperse; traduce; malign.
[1913 Webster]