us-, ut-
(Latin: use, employ, practice)
Used by legal specialists and suggests that a right should not be withheld from people because of others who abuse it.
2. The practice or act of using or doing something illegally: The governor's abuse of his power involved the buying of votes which resulted in his being prosecuted for malicious use of public funds.
3. Harsh and insulting words: The prisoner, who was on trial for murder, shouted abuses at the presiding judge accusing her of prejudice because he was a man.
4. Etymology: "to misuse, misapply", from Latin abusus, "a using up"; "misuse up"; from ab-. "away" + uti, "use".
2. To use or to treat something in a way that causes damage: Ricky abused his car by not taking proper care of it and driving excessively fast.
3. To attack someone with words: The baseball fans were verbally abusing the umpire for calling the player "out"!
4. To engage in corrupt practices or activities or to use in an unfair way: Too many politicians tend to abuse their governmental positions with actions that will increase their monetary lifestyles.
A politician should be careful not to abuse the rights and responsibilities of his or her elected office. Audits of governmental departments often unearth information suggesting that some officials misuse their privileges.
2. Pertaining to the use or involvement of 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.
Mary's husband was accused of resorting to the most abusive punishment of his children whenever they did not do what he told them to do.
Sarah's neighbor insulted her abusively with his attitude and foul language.
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.
When Bill read the directions on the package, it mentioned to apply it ad unum for the plants and nothing else.
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."
2. A reference to that which is examined in detail.
2. A detailed examination of things or issues: Richard told his parents that, for his birthday, he had a list of guests for their perusal to see if there were too many to invite.
3. Etymology: from Middle English per, "completely, throughly" + usen, "to use."