abusementn.
/əˈbjuːzm(ə)nt/, U.S. /əˈbjuzm(ə)nt/ The action or an act of abusing or being abused, abuse; deception. Also: a source of abuse or deception.In later use frequently used ironically as a substitute for or in contrast with amusement.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > [noun] > source of
abusement1535
Pandora's tub1612
Pandora's box1648
(to open) a can of worms1962
1535 R. Copland tr. Complaynt of them that be to soone Maryed sig. B.iv For suche is my dyssynement And wyll proue it before our lorde That women ben abusement All aboute in playe, stryfe, and borde.
1586 Treat. against Def. of Censure Bks. W. Charke & M. Hanmer i. 196 You would draw your argument to prooue the probabilitie of Luthers conception by such deuillish abusement [sc. being fathered by Satan].
1647 S. Rutherford Christ Dying i. 177 This was a glorifying of Christ in his greatest abusement and shame.
1735 J. Miller Man of Taste ii. i. 19 Amusements! Abusements is the properer Name.
1819 ‘R. Rabelais’ Abeillard & Heloisa 333 Amusements which Abeillard had prov'd abusements.
1853 J. Beresford Comic Miseries of Human Life iii. 53 (header) Theatres, etc. Places of public abusement.
1930 D. Blanding Hula Moons 232 Sin and cinema, amusement and abusement are offered to the seeker.
1968 Ebony Feb. 25 ‘I know how it is when you go overseas and take all that abusement,’ he says in the troubled tones of one irretrievably claimed by bitterness.
2005 Phoenix New Times (Nexis) 3 Nov. Featured Events The ‘disturbing, philosophical sketch comedy’ offers an abusement park of wild rides.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2011; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1535