Printer Friendly
The Free Dictionary
898,765,291 visitors served.
?
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

abusive

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
a·bu·sive  (-bysv, -zv)
adj.
1. Characterized by improper or wrongful use: abusive utilization of public funds.
2. Using or containing insulting or coarse language: finally reprimanded the abusive colleague.
3. Causing physical injury to another: abusive punishment.
4. Relating to or practicing sexual abuse.

a·busive·ly adv.
a·busive·ness n.

abusive
Adjective
rude or insulting: he was alleged to have used abusive language towards spectators
abusively adv
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.abusiveabusive - expressing offensive reproach
offensive - causing anger or annoyance; "offensive remarks"
2.abusiveabusive - characterized by physical or psychological maltreatment; "abusive punishment"; "argued...that foster homes are abusive"
harmful - causing or capable of causing harm; "too much sun is harmful to the skin"; "harmful effects of smoking"

abusive
Translations
Spanish abusive [əˈbjuːsɪv] adjofensivo
French abusive [əˈbjuːsɪv] abuse adjgrossier/ière, injurieux/euse
German abusive [əˈbjuːsɪv] abuse adjbeleidigend
Italian abusive [əˈbjuːsɪv] adjingiurioso/a

?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Email
Feedback
Add definition
? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
Pittacus was the author of some laws, but never drew up any form of government; one of which was this, that if a drunken man beat any person he should be punished more than if he did it when sober; for as people are more apt to be abusive when drunk than sober, he paid no consideration to the excuse which drunkenness might claim, but regarded only the common benefit.
Croiset remark, the abusive Thersites in the "Aethiopis" is clearly copied from the Thersites of the "Iliad"; in the same poem Antilochus, slain by Memnon and avenged by Achilles, is obviously modelled on Patroclus.
The man, who had clearly been drinking, poured forth some abusive language, but he left off knocking the horses about, and taking the reins, got into his cart; meantime our friend had quietly taken a note-book from his pocket, and looking at the name and address painted on the cart, he wrote something down.
 
Dictionary/thesaurus browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Translations
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2008 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.