[syn: pervert, misuse, abuse]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Misuse \Mis*use"\ (m[i^]s*[=u]z"), v. t. [F. m['e]suser. See
Mis-, prefix from French, and Use.]
1. To treat or use improperly; to use to a bad purpose; to
misapply; as, to misuse one's talents. --South.
[1913 Webster]
The sweet poison of misused wine. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
2. To abuse; to treat ill.
[1913 Webster]
O, she misused me past the endurance of a block.
--Shak.
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Syn: To maltreat; abuse; misemploy; misapply.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Misuse \Mis*use"\ (m[i^]s*[=u]s"), n.
1. Wrong use; misapplication; erroneous or improper use.
[1913 Webster]
Words little suspected for any such misuse. --Locke.
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2. Violence, or its effects. [Obs.] --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
misuse
n 1: improper or excessive use; "alcohol abuse"; "the abuse of
public funds" [syn: misuse, abuse]
v 1: apply to a wrong thing or person; apply badly or
incorrectly; "The words are misapplied in this context";
"You are misapplying the name of this religious group"
[syn: misapply, misuse]
2: change the inherent purpose or function of something; "Don't
abuse the system"; "The director of the factory misused the
funds intended for the health care of his workers" [syn:
pervert, misuse, abuse]