A*bu"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] "The
abusive prerogatives of his see."
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.
"An
abusive lampoon."
Johnson.
5.
Tending to deceive; fraudulent; cheating.
[Obs.] "An
abusive treaty."
Bacon.
Syn. -- Reproachful; scurrilous; opprobrious; insolent; insulting; injurious; offensive; reviling.
© Webster 1913.