Main Entry: ²abuse

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈbyüz\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): abused; abus·ing

1 : to use excessively <abuse alcohol> ; also : to use without medical justification <abusing painkillers>
2 : to treat so as to injure or damage <abuse a child>
3 a : masturbate b : to subject to abuse and especially to rape or indecent assault

—abus·able \-ˈbyü-zə-bəl\ adjective

—abus·er noun