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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Abuse, v. Also: abusse, abws(e; aboys, abose; abeise. [ME. abuse (15th c.), F. abuser.]

1. tr. To misuse; to make improper use of.14.. Acts I. 333/2 (at thai aboysis thar seruice); 380/2 (that aboys the reull of cristin law). 1456 Hay II. 29/11 (defoulis and abusis it). a1500 Bernardus 342 (thi gud abws). c1500-c1512 Dunb. ix. 25 (I abusit haif the deidis of mercy). 1562-3 Winȝet II. 49/31 (he abusis the grace of God). a1578 Pitsc. I. 36/11 (sall abose all governance).

b. refl. To conduct (oneself) in a disorderly or licentious manner.c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1236 (abusit thameselfis unnaturallye). c1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 178 (quhair he has done abuse him). 1581 Inverness B. Rec. I. 289 (fyndis Catheryne Keitht to abwse hir in … ). 1596 Dalr. I. 180/15 (daylie mair and mair abuset him selfe).

2. To mislead; to deceive or cheat.c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1004 (the serpent me abusit). 1571 J. Maitland in Sat. P. xxvii. 4 (be nocht abusit be authoritie). a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xviii. 51 (blind love his reson so abvsit).

3. To take advantage of; to treat or handle badly; to maltreat or revile.1555 Edinb. B. Rec. 216 (gretumlie defraudit and abusit). a1578 Pitsc. I. 94/1 (the realme salbe abussit be everie man). a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1487 (thair nibours they abusit). 1641 Aberd. B. Rec. 269 (for abeising hir face and making the same bla).

b. To impair, affect harmfully.1660 Aberd. B. Rec. 185 (they being abusit by drink).

4. To disuse, discontinue the use of. 1471 Acts II. 100/1.
At the futbal & golf be abusit in tym cummyng … & schuting vsit 1473 Edinb. B. Rec. 28.
We think it richt speidfull that fals culloures be abuseit and depryveit 1511 Ib. 133.
Sua the strangeris passis to thame and abusis the commoun wechtis 1527 Dundee B. Laws 100.
We ordaine that article to be abused fra all outmen 1545 Reg. Great S. 757/2.
Quhairthrow all virtew and marchandice within the said burgh is abusit, ceissit, and dekeyit a1568 Scott xxxiv. 107.
The mull frequentis the anis, And hir awin kynd abusis