Category:Misuse

Mis*use", v. t. Etym: [F. mésuser. 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. The sweet poison of misused wine. Milton.

2. To abuse; to treat ill. O, she misused me past the endurance of a block. Shak.

Syn. -- To maltreat; abuse; misemploy; misapply.

misuse Mis*use", n.

1. Wrong use; misapplication; erroneous or improper use. Words little suspected for any such misuse. Locke.

2. Violence, or its effects. [Obs.] Shak.