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misuse

noun

No English definition recorded for this entry.

L253292 on Wikidata ↗

verb

  1. use wrongly
L253293 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /mɪsˈjuːs/ / /mɪsˈjuːz/

noun

Etymology: From mis- + use (noun).

  1. An incorrect, improper or unlawful use of something.

    The Queen may be celebrating her jubilee but the Queen's English Society, which has railed against the misuse and deterioration of the English language, is to fold.

verb

Etymology: From mis- + use (verb).

  1. To use (something) incorrectly.
  2. To abuse or mistreat (something or someone).
  3. To rape (a woman); later more generally, to sexually abuse (someone).

    “If that is true she would be the first case I have ever heard of, as most female captives are misused by the entire tribe.”

  4. To abuse verbally, to insult.

    Socrates was brought upon the stage by Aristophanes, and misused to his face: but he laughed, as if it concerned him not […].