abusus

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [aˈbuː.sʊs], [aˈbuː.suːs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [aˈbuː.s̬us], [aˈbuː.s̬us]^[1]

Forms

abūsus m (genitive abūsūs); fourth declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from abūtor “to use up, misuse” with the suffix -tus.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant misuse, wasting.^[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant wasting, using up, consuming, abuse, misuse.^[5] Medieval Latin used it for misuse, abuse.^[6] British Medieval Latin used it for misuse, and perhaps disuse, as Gerald of Wales's beasts created for use, not abuse.^[7] Through Old French abus it gave English abuse in the mid-15th century, and through Vulgar Latin ⟨*abūsāre⟩ the verb English abuse in the early 15th century.^[3]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.^[4]
• early 15th century – The English verb abuse is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. Misuse, abuse; wasting.^[2][5]
2. (Medieval Latin) Disuse.^[7]

Related words

• abūtor
• ūsus
• English abuse

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
6. ^ Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
7. ^ a b Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press