Dictionary of English - abuse or misuse

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To abuse something is to use it badly or wrongly: The bank manager abused the confidence of his customers. To misuse a thing is to use it in a way for which it was not intended, whether wrongly or not: 'A horse misused upon the road/Calls to Heaven for human blood' (William Blake).

White stands for the snowy peaks of the Andes. Red symbolizes the blood shed by the freedom fighters. Blue represents the clear Andean skies. Effective date: c. 18 October 1817. >>