1.n. interactions in which one person behaves in a cruel, violent, demeaning, or invasive manner toward another person or an animal. The term most commonly implies physical mistreatment but also encompasses sexual and psychological (emotional) mistreatment. 2.vb. to subject a person or animal to such treatment. 3.n.
see substance abuse. 4.n. colloquially, the misuse of a substance to the extent that it causes the individual difficulty, whether or not it meets a foormal diagnosis or substance abuse. —abusern.