↑Abuse – Defined at Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. 2013 [Word first used in 15th century]. Retrieved 28 December 2013. abuse [may be defined as the following]...to treat (a person or animal) in a harsh or harmful way...[or] to use or treat (something) in a way that causes damage [or] to use (something) wrongly