Or is it some abuse, and no such thing?
Shak.
Abuse of distress (Law), a wrongful using of an animal or chattel distrained, by the distrainer.
Syn. -- Invective; contumely; reproach; scurrility; insult; opprobrium. -- Abuse, Invective. Abuse is generally prompted by anger, and vented in harsh and unseemly words. It is more personal and coarse than invective. Abuse generally takes place in private quarrels; invective in writing or public discussions. Invective may be conveyed in refined language and dictated by indignation against what is blameworthy. C. J. Smith.
A*buse"ful (&?;), a. Full of abuse; abusive. [R.] "Abuseful names." Bp. Barlow.
A*bus"er (&?;), n. One who abuses [in the various senses of the verb].
A*bu"sion (&?;), n. [OE. abusion, abusioun, OF. abusion, fr. L. abusio misuse of words, f. abuti. See Abuse, v. t.] Evil or corrupt usage; abuse; wrong; reproach; deception; cheat. Chaucer.
A*bu"sive (&?;), a. [Cf. F. abusif, fr. L. abusivus.] 1. Wrongly used; perverted; misapplied.
I am . . . necessitated to use the word Parliament improperly, according to the abusive acceptation thereof.
Fuller.
2. Given to misusing; also, full of abuses. [Archaic] "The abusive prerogatives of his see." Hallam.
3. Practicing abuse; prone to ill treat by coarse, insulting words or by other ill usage; as, an abusive author; an abusive fellow.
4. Containing abuse, or serving as the instrument of abuse; vituperative; reproachful; scurrilous. "An abusive lampoon." Johnson.