Hypertext Webster Gateway: "abusive"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Abusive \A*bu"sive\, a. [Cf. F. abusif, fr. L. abusivus.]
1. Wrongly used; perverted; misapplied.

I am . . . necessitated to use the word Parliament
improperly, according to the abusive acceptation
thereof. --Fuller.

2. Given to misusing; also, full of abuses. [Archaic] ``The
abusive prerogatives of his see.'' --Hallam.

3. Practicing abuse; prone to ill treat by coarse, insulting
words or by other ill usage; as, an abusive author; an
abusive fellow.

4. Containing abuse, or serving as the instrument of abuse;
vituperative; reproachful; scurrilous. ``An abusive
lampoon.'' --Johnson.

5. Tending to deceive; fraudulent; cheating. [Obs.] ``An
abusive treaty.'' --Bacon.

Syn: Reproachful; scurrilous; opprobrious; insolent;
insulting; injurious; offensive; reviling.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

abusive
adj 1: expressing offensive reproach [syn: {insulting}, {opprobrious},
{scornful}, {scurrilous}]
2: characterized by physical or psychological maltreatment;
"abusive punishment"; "argued...that foster homes are
abusive"


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