vbl. sb. [f. ABUSE v. + -ING1.]
† 1. The action or process of using up. Obs.
1554. J. Philpot, Exam. & Writings (1842), 419. Touch not, taste not, handle not, which all perish with the abusing of them.
2. The action or process of misusing, perverting, spoiling, injuring, reviling. (Now mostly gerundial.)
c. 1530. Lett. on Supp. of Mon. (1843), 12. Hys [Latimer’s] mynde ys myche more agenst the abusyng off thynges then agenst the thynge hytt selfe.
1598. Shaks., Merry Wives, I. iv. 4. Here will be an old abusing of God’s patience, and the King’s English.
1617. Hieron, Wks., 1619–20, II. 125. What specialties are ripped vp, both of Gods fauours to their state, & of their abusings of His goodnesse.
1678. Trans. at Ct. of Spain, 24. The abusing of Money that I have been speaking of.
Mod. To try the old device of abusing the plaintiff’s attorney.
