us-, ut-

The consequences of abuse do not apply to general use.

Used by legal specialists and suggests that a right should not be withheld from people because of others who abuse it.

1. A harmful treatment of a person, people, or an animal or animals: "The governor's abuse of his power by buying votes resulted in his being prosecuted."
2. Harsh, insulting, and abusive words: "The prisoner, who was on trial for murder, shouted abuses at the presiding judge."

1. To use wrongly or improperly; to misuse: "Troy was accused of abusing his wife both mentally and physically."
2. To use or to treat something in a way that causes damage: "Ricky abused his car by not taking proper care of it."
3. To attack someone with words: "The baseball fans were verbally abusing the umpire for calling the player out!"
4. A corrupt practice or activity; unfair use, improper use: "Too many politicians tend to abuse their positions with dishonest practices."

1. Using harsh and insulting language: "Wayne's wife spoke to him in a more abusive manner than usual."
2. Using or involving physical violence or emotional cruelty: "Fortunately, there are not as many people who are in abusive relationships as there are those who have good relationships."

"The judge commented that the accused used the most abusive language that she had ever heard in the courtroom."

Treating someone with harsh and insulting language: "There are too many people who are abusively treated with slanderous language."

"The woman's neighbor treated her abusively with his attitude and foul language."

Misuse does not nullify proper use.

Generally, this maxim says that the value of a procedure, an object, etc., is not destroyed by improper use. It is extended to mean that the improper use of a word does not destroy its proper use, and those who "misuse" the language are not given the right to abuse words because of their ignorance or carelessness.

According to usage.

Security, that tenants for life give, to preserve the property rented free from waste and injury.

1. Improper or incorrect use; misapplication, waste: "Writing ad copy was a misuse of her creative talent, although I noticed a misuse of the word who in her writing."
2. To use incorrectly, misapply; pervert, corrupt: "She misuses so many words it seems as if she is faking it."
3. To mistreat or abuse; harm, take advantage of: "An arrogant man generally misuses his friends."
4. To use something for a purpose for which it was not intended: "She’s been accused of misusing company funds to pay for personal expenses."