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.
A*buse" (&?;), n. [F. abus, L. abusus, fr. abuti. See Abuse, v. t.] 1. Improper treatment or use; application to a wrong or bad purpose; misuse; as, an abuse of our natural powers; an abuse of civil rights, or of privileges or advantages; an abuse of language.
Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty, as well as by the abuses of power.
Madison.
2. Physical ill treatment; injury. "Rejoice . . . at the abuse of Falstaff." Shak.
3. A corrupt practice or custom; offense; crime; fault; as, the abuses in the civil service.
Abuse after disappeared without a struggle..
Macaulay.
4. Vituperative words; coarse, insulting speech; abusive language; virulent condemnation; reviling.
The two parties, after exchanging a good deal of abuse, came to blows.
Macaulay.