abuse (verb) Copy link Outline I. To use badly, misuseII. To violateIII. To revile1. mălĕdīco (with dat.)2. lăcĕro, 1. to a. a very excellent man with insulting language, optimum virum verborum contumeliis l., Cic.3. diffĕro, distŭli, dīlātum, 3. irr. • abuse (verb): I. To use badly, misuse: ăbūtor, ūsus, 3 (with abl.): to a. the laws, legibus a., Cic.: to a. any-one's patience, alicujus patientia a., Cic. II. To violate: ăbūtor, illūdo, comprĭmo: v. to violate. III. To revile: 1. mălĕdīco (with dat.): v. to revile. 2. lăcĕro, 1. to a. a very excellent man with insulting language, optimum virum verborum contumeliis l., Cic.: to a. poems, carmina l., Ov. 3. diffĕro, distŭli, dīlātum, 3. irr.: slanderously to a. any one, aliquem maledicendo sermonibus d., Lucil. Tac.: v. to defame.