ppl. a. [f. ABUSE v. + -ED.]
† 1. Worn out, consumed by use; hence, disused, obsolete. Obs.
1494. Fabyan, VI. Whiche made theyr prayers to goddes abused, As Jupiter and Mars.
1536. Bellendene, Boece’s Cron. Scotl. (1821), I. 260. Thay convenit in Argyle … to lerne thair pepill the art of chevalry; for thay war mony yeris abusit, but ony exercition thairof.
2. Misused; wronged, done violence to, violated.
1592. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., IV. i. 29. Poore soule thy face is much abus’d with teares. Ibid. (1605), Lear, IV. vii. 15. O you kind Gods! cure this great breach in his abused Nature!
1645. Ussher, Body of Divin. (1647), 226. For the brazen Serpent abused, was worthily broken in pieces.
1719. De Foe, Rob. Crusoe, I. 42. Abus’d Prosperity is oftentimes made the very Means of our greatest Adversity.
3. Imposed upon, deceived, mistaken, misguided.
1473. Warkworth, Chron., 13. Sere Jhon Westerdale, whiche aftyrward for his abused disposycion was casten in presone.
1549. Compl. Scotl. (1872), viii. 72. O ignorant, abusit, ande dissaitful pepil.
1660. Milton, Free Commw., 454. The general defection of a misguided and abus’d Multitude.
1706. Addison, Rosamd., II. vi. Misc. Wks. 1726, I. 123. The bower turns round, my brain’s abus’d, The Labyrinth grows more confus’d.
1801. Southey, Thalaba, IV. 9, Wks. IV. 140. Things view’d at distance through the mist of fear, By their distortion terrify and shock, The abused sight.
