abusive : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: abusive	by the DICT Development Group
2 results for abusive
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
abusive adj expressing offensive reproach [syn: abusive, opprobrious, scurrilous] characterized by physical or psychological maltreatment; "abusive punishment"; "argued...that foster homes are abusive"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Abusive \Abu"sive\, a. [Cf. F. abusif, fr. L. abusivus.] 1. Wrongly used; perverted; misapplied. I am . . . necessitated to use the word Parliament improperly, according to the abusive* acceptation thereof. --Fuller. 2. Given to misusing; also, full of abuses. [Archaic] [bd]The abusive prerogatives of his see.[b8] --Hallam. 3. Practicing abuse; prone to ill treat by coarse, insulting words or by other ill usage; as, an abusive author; an abusive fellow. 4. Containing abuse, or serving as the instrument of abuse; vituperative; reproachful; scurrilous. [bd]An abusive lampoon.[b8] --Johnson. 5. Tending to deceive; fraudulent; cheating. [Obs.] [bd]An abusive treaty.[b8] --Bacon. Syn: Reproachful; scurrilous; opprobrious; insolent; insulting; injurious; offensive; reviling.