Etymologically
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abusus

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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]

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