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abusive |
2 definitions found 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 1.6 [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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