abusage

English

Etymology

Abusage first appeared in the 16th century as a general synonym of abuse, but it fell into disuse after just a couple of centuries. The word reemerged in the language with a new grammar-specific sense after Eric Partridge published a book on grammar titled Usage and Abusage in 1942.

Noun

abusage (plural abusages)

1. (obsolete) Abuse - Whately (1634)
2. improper or incorrect use of language

   A stickler for the rules of grammar, Mrs. Walker cringes when she encounters any abusage by the students in her freshman English class.