The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Abuse \A*buse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abused; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Abusing.] [F. abuser; L. abusus, p. p. of abuti to abuse,
   misuse; ab + uti to use. See Use.]
   1. To put to a wrong use; to misapply; to misuse; to put to a
      bad use; to use for a wrong purpose or end; to pervert;
      as, to abuse inherited gold; to make an excessive use of;
      as, to abuse one's authority.
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            This principle (if one may so abuse the word) shoots
            rapidly into popularity.              --Froude.
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   2. To use ill; to maltreat; to act injuriously to; to punish
      or to tax excessively; to hurt; as, to abuse prisoners, to
      abuse one's powers, one's patience.
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   3. To revile; to reproach coarsely; to disparage.
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            The . . . tellers of news abused the general.
                                                  --Macaulay.
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   4. To dishonor. "Shall flight abuse your name?" --Shak.
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   5. To violate; to ravish. --Spenser.
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   6. To deceive; to impose on. [Obs.]
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            Their eyes red and staring, cozened with a moist
            cloud, and abused by a double object. --Jer. Taylor.
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   Syn: To maltreat; injure; revile; reproach; vilify;
        vituperate; asperse; traduce; malign.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Abuse \A*buse"\, n. [F. abus, L. abusus, fr. abuti. See Abuse,
   v. t.]
   1. Improper treatment or use; application to a wrong or bad
      purpose; misuse; as, an abuse of our natural powers; an
      abuse of civil rights, or of privileges or advantages; an
      abuse of language.
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            Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty,
            as well as by the abuses of power.    --Madison.
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   2. Physical ill treatment; injury. "Rejoice . . . at the
      abuse of Falstaff." --Shak.
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   3. A corrupt practice or custom; offense; crime; fault; as,
      the abuses in the civil service.
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            Abuse after disappeared without a struggle..
                                                  --Macaulay.
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   4. Vituperative words; coarse, insulting speech; abusive
      language; virulent condemnation; reviling.
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            The two parties, after exchanging a good deal of
            abuse, came to blows.                 --Macaulay.
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   5. Violation; rape; as, abuse of a female child. [Obs.]
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            Or is it some abuse, and no such thing? --Shak.
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   Abuse of distress (Law), a wrongful using of an animal or
      chattel distrained, by the distrainer.
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   Syn: Invective; contumely; reproach; scurrility; insult;
        opprobrium.

   Usage: Abuse, Invective. Abuse is generally prompted by
          anger, and vented in harsh and unseemly words. It is
          more personal and coarse than invective. Abuse
          generally takes place in private quarrels; invective
          in writing or public discussions. Invective may be
          conveyed in refined language and dictated by
          indignation against what is blameworthy. --C. J.
          Smith.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

abuse
    n 1: cruel or inhumane treatment; "the child showed signs of
         physical abuse" [syn: maltreatment, ill-treatment,
         ill-usage, abuse]
    2: a rude expression intended to offend or hurt; "when a student
       made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse"; "they yelled
       insults at the visiting team" [syn: abuse, insult,
       revilement, contumely, vilification]
    3: improper or excessive use; "alcohol abuse"; "the abuse of
       public funds" [syn: misuse, abuse]
    v 1: treat badly; "This boss abuses his workers"; "She is always
         stepping on others to get ahead" [syn: mistreat,
         maltreat, abuse, ill-use, step, ill-treat]
    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]
    3: use foul or abusive language towards; "The actress abused the
       policeman who gave her a parking ticket"; "The angry mother
       shouted at the teacher" [syn: abuse, clapperclaw,
       blackguard, shout]
    4: use wrongly or improperly or excessively; "Her husband often
       abuses alcohol"; "while she was pregnant, she abused drugs"