Search Result for "misuse": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (1)

1. improper or excessive use;
- Example: "alcohol abuse"
- Example: "the abuse of public funds"
[syn: misuse, abuse]


VERB (2)

1. apply to a wrong thing or person; apply badly or incorrectly;
- Example: "The words are misapplied in this context"
- Example: "You are misapplying the name of this religious group"
[syn: misapply, misuse]

2. change the inherent purpose or function of something;
- Example: "Don't abuse the system"
- Example: "The director of the factory misused the funds intended for the health care of his workers"
[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. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] 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]