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Misuse vs Missus - What's the difference?

misuse | missus |

As a noun misuse

is an incorrect, improper or unlawful use of something.

As a verb misuse

is to use (something) incorrectly.

As a proper noun missus is

(informal) mrs, a form of address for a married woman.

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 […].

    missus

    English

    Noun

    (es)
  • Wife.
    • Harry said he couldn't stop and chat because his missus wanted to go shopping.
    The missus has a list of chores for me to do this weekend.

    Synonyms

    * * Mrs (UK)

    Coordinate terms

    * miss * mister * mistress * madam * maiden * maid * master * matron ----