[f. ABUSIVE + -NESS.] The quality of being abusive: hence,
† 1. Wrongness of use, perversion, perversity. Obs.
a. 1677. Barrow, II. 328 (L.). This point doth clearly demonstrate … the abusiveness of evacuating all his [Our Lord’s] laborious and expensive designs in acquiring us.
2. Foulness or rudeness of language.
1633. G. Herbert, Church Porch, 236. Pick out of mirth, like stones out of thy ground, Profanenesse, filthinesse, abusivenesse.
1683. Wycherly, Country Wife, III. i. (R.). I can no longer suffer his scurrilous abusiveness to you.
Mod. The abusiveness of their language passes description.
