abusen - Middle English Compendium

Middle English Dictionary Entry

abūsen v.

Forms	abūsen v.
Etymology	OF abuser

(a) To misuse (sth.); misapply (funds); abuse (one's power), put to evil use; (b) to abuse (sb.) sexually (as by incest, sodomy, prostitution).

(1439) RParl.5.32b : Of the which Wages many of the said Capptaines have abused, and taken uppon hem to rebate upon their Souldeours.
(1453) Proc.Privy C.6.160 : The degree and astate that ye stande inne..is ordeined you, not to abuse it, but to use to the worship of God.
a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)23631 : The good that god hath sent, by hir thei ben wrongly dispent, And ageyn his wul abused.
c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)1.117 : He that wilfully his body abuseth [vrr. doth abuse, hathe abusyde]..Lesith a precious Iewell, which is his name.
c1480(1451) Let.Phil.Burgundy (Add 48031)140 : Thoo that stande under the profession of Cristis feithe and bileve in the Este parte of the worlde have many and long yeres sufferid .. by thabusid mighte and tirannye of the Sowdan of Babylonie, of the Turke, and other .. enemyes of the .. feithe.
1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)158 : We wyll not chaunge for youre doctrine ne lore, There shall no newe emong vs been abused.

1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)4291 : Wyth comoun wummen þou shalt abusyd be.
?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)2.231 : The childer of Seth were goode vn to the vijthe generacion; but after that men abusede men and women abusede women.
?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.365 : Caligula..abusenge his sustres, puttenge theym in to exile after that abusion.

(a) To falsify (sth.), give a false appearance to; (b) to betray (trust).

To behave improperly; ben abused, ?be out of sorts.

?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)65/78 : Whow durste þou a-monge fruteful presume and Abuse.
c1475 St.Anne(2) (Trin-C R.3.21)348 : Ioachym..both sory and eke confusyd Went forth hys wey..he was clene abusyd.