abuse English · revision 3981

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1413|origins=la abūtī}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: noun: /əˈbjuːs/; verb: /əˈbjuːz/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The verb is [[inh|enm|abusen]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|frm|abuser|t=to deceive, abuse, misuse]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la-vul|*abūsāre]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la|abūsus|t=a using up]], the past participle of [[m|la|abūtī|t=to use up, consume; to misuse]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from ab- “away” and ūtī “to use”.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) The noun is from Middle French abus and Latin abūsus.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) It is related to [[use]], [[usual]] and [[abusive]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The verb, “to misuse, misapply” power or money: early 15th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) 1413 in the OED.^(OED 1989) The noun, “an improper practice”, is from the mid-15th century,^(Etymonline) 1439 in the Rolls of Parliament according to Barnhart.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the 15th century the verb also meant “to deceive” (1481), a sense now obsolete.^(OED 1989) It was used of forbidden sexual acts from the early 15th century, and “to violate, ravish” from the 1550s,^(Etymonline) a sense the OED marked obsolete; the modern use of unwanted sexual activity is likely a fresh coinage of the late 20th century.^(Etymonline) “To ill-use, maltreat” is from 1556,^(OED 1989) and “to attack with harsh language” from about 1600,^(Etymonline) though the noun “abusive language” is earlier (1559).^(OED 1989) Of drugs, the noun is by 1961 and the verb from 1968.^(Etymonline) Earlier Middle English had abusion, “a wicked act” and “an insult”.^(Etymonline) ''Abusive'' is from 1583.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1413 – verb, to misuse.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1439 – noun, an improper practice.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1481 – to deceive.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1556 – to maltreat.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1559 – abusive language.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1600 – verb, to revile.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1961 – drug abuse.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Improper or excessive use; [[misuse]]: ''drug abuse''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Physical or sexual mistreatment.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A corrupt practice or custom.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Insulting or coarse language.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To use wrongly or improperly.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To hurt or injure by maltreatment.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To attack with insulting words; to [[revile]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(obsolete)'' To deceive.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[abuser]]

+ * [[abusable]]

+ * [[antiabuse]]

+ * [[self-abuse]]

+ * [[overabuse]]

+ * [[abusage]]

+ * [[disabuse]]

+ * [[child abuse]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[abusive]]

+ * [[use]]

+ * [[usual]]

+ * [[misuse]]

+ * [[utility]]

+ * [[usury]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage distinguishes abuse, injurious or unreasonable treatment, from misuse, mistreat, ill-treat and maltreat.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}