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abuse vb. (precise meaning often doubtful; in many examples two or more senses are blended)
1. to impose upon, cheat, deceive Ado V. ii. 104, Ham. II. ii. 640, Lr. IV. i. 22 “thy abused father's wrath,” IV. vii. 77, Cym. I. iv. 129.
2. to ill-use, maltreat, do violence to Wiv. I. i. 3, Err. V. i. 199, R3 I. iii. 52 “his simple truth must be a-d,” Rom. IV. i. 29, Lr. IV. vii. 15, Sonn. xlii. 7.
4. to disgrace, dishonour Wiv. II. ii. 310, 1H6 IV. v. 41.
5. to malign, revile Tim. II. ii. 48, Oth. V. i. 123.
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hide References (9 total)
  • Cross-references in text-specific dictionaries from this page (9):
    • William Shakespeare, Anthony and Cleopatra, 5.2
    • William Shakespeare, King Lear, 4.1
    • William Shakespeare, King Lear, 4.7
    • William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, 2.2
    • William Shakespeare, The Comedy of Errors, 5.1
    • William Shakespeare, Cymbeline, 1.4
    • William Shakespeare, Cymbeline, 2.3
    • William Shakespeare, The First Part of Henry VI, 4.5
    • William Shakespeare, Sonnets, xlii
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