abuse sb. (1 and 2 were common Eliz., now obs.)
1.
ill-usage, injury, wrong, insult, offence, crime
Wiv. V. iii. 9, Meas. V. i. 241,
3H6 III. iii. 188
“the abuse done to my
niece,”
Rom. III. i. 199,
Sonn. cxxxiv. 12
“through my unkind
abuse.”
2.
imposture, deception,
delusion
Ham. IV. vii. 50
“Or is it some and no
such thing?”
(Cf. SELF-ABUSE.)
4.
injurious speaking,
reviling 2H4 II. iv. 341; pl.
(obs.)
Meas. V. i. 342
“his treasonable
abuses.”