Main Entry: mal·treat

Pronunciation: \ˌmal-ˈtrēt\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: part translation of French maltraiter, from Middle French, from mal- + traiter to treat, from Old French traitier — more at treat

Date: 1708

: to treat cruelly or roughly : abuse

— mal·treat·er \-ˈtrē-tər\ noun

— mal·treat·ment \-ˈtrēt-mənt\ noun