misuse

English

Etymology 1

mis- + use {noun}

Pronunciation

• IPA: /mɪsˈjuːs/

Noun

misuse (plural misuses)

1. An incorrect, improper or unlawful use of something.

Translations

incorrect, improper or unlawful use

Czech: zneužití (cs) n.

Finnish: väärinkäyttö (fi) French: mésusage (fr) m. {{subst:gr}}: [[κατάχρηση#Template:gr|{{Template:gr/script|lang=gr|κατάχρηση}}]]

Etymology 2

From mis- + use (verb)

Pronunciation

• IPA: /mɪsˈjuːz/

Verb

misuse (third-person singular simple present misuses, present participle misusing, simple past and past participle misused)

1. (transitive) To use (something) incorrectly.
2. (transitive) To abuse or mistreat (something or someone).
3. (obsolete, transitive) To abuse verbally, to insult.
   • 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, II.3.7:

     Socrates was brought upon the stage by Aristophanes, and misused to his face: but he laughed, as if it concerned him not [...].

Translations

to use something incorrectly

Esperanto: misuzi (eo)

Finnish: käyttää väärin

to abuse or mistreat something or someone

Czech: zneužít (cs)

Finnish: väärinkäyttää (sthg), kohdella väärin (sbd)