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Disuse vs Misuse - What's the difference?

disuse | misuse |

In transitive terms the difference between disuse and misuse

is that disuse is to cease the use of while misuse is to abuse or mistreat (something or someone).

disuse

English

Noun

(-)
  • The state of not being used; neglect.
    • The garden fell into disuse and became overgrown.

    Derived terms

    * disused

    Verb

    (disus)
  • To cease the use of.
  • (archaic) To disaccustom.
    • He was disused to hard work.
  • * John Donne
    • Disuse me from pain.

    Anagrams

    *

    misuse

    English

    Etymology 1

    (mis-) +

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An incorrect, improper or unlawful use of something.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=June 4 , author=Lewis Smith , title=Queen's English Society says enuf is enough, innit? , work=the Guardian citation , page= , passage=The Queen may be celebrating her jubilee but the Queen's English Society, which has railed against the misuse and deterioration of the English language, is to fold.}}

    Etymology 2

    From (mis-) +

    Verb

    (misus)
  • To use (something) incorrectly.
  • To abuse or mistreat (something or someone).
  • (obsolete) To abuse verbally, to insult.
  • *, II.3.7:
    • Socrates was brought upon the stage by Aristophanes, and misused to his face: but he laughed, as if it concerned him not […].