Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

ab|surd /æbsɜː ^r d/ ADJ If you say that something is absurd , you are criticizing it because you think that it is ridiculous or that it does not make sense. [DISAPPROVAL ] □  It is absurd to be discussing compulsory redundancy policies for teachers. □  I've known clients of mine go to absurd lengths, just to avoid paying me a few pounds. ● N‑SING The absurd is something that is absurd. [FORMAL ] □  Parkinson had a sharp eye for the absurd. ●  ab|surd|ly ADV □  Prices were still absurdly low, in his opinion. ●  ab|surd|ity /æbsɜː ^r d I ti/ (absurdities ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] I find myself growing increasingly angry at the absurdity of the situation.

ab|surd|ist /æbsɜː ^r d I st/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An absurdist play or other work shows how absurd some aspect of society or human behaviour is.

abun|dance /əbʌ ndəns/ N‑SING [with sing or pl verb, oft in N ] An abundance of something is a large quantity of it. □ [+ of ] The area has an abundance of wildlife. □  Food was in abundance.

abun|dant /əbʌ ndənt/ ADJ Something that is abundant is present in large quantities. □  There is an abundant supply of cheap labour. □  Birds are abundant in the tall vegetation.

abun|dant|ly /əbʌ ndəntli/

1 ADV [ADV adj] If something is abundantly clear, it is extremely obvious. □  He made it abundantly clear that anybody who disagrees with his policies will not last long.

2 ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] Something that occurs abundantly is present in large quantities. □  …a plant that grows abundantly in the United States.

abuse ◆◆◇ (abuses , abusing , abused ) The noun is pronounced /əbjuː s/. The verb is pronounced /əbjuː z/. 1 N‑UNCOUNT Abuse of someone is cruel and violent treatment of them. □  …investigation of alleged child abuse. □  …victims of sexual and physical abuse. □  …controversy over human rights abuses.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Abuse is extremely rude and insulting things that people say when they are angry. □  I was left shouting abuse as the car sped off.

3 N‑VAR Abuse of something is the use of it in a wrong way or for a bad purpose. □ [+ of ] What went on here was an abuse of power. □  …drug and alcohol abuse.

4 VERB If someone is abused , they are treated cruelly and violently. □ [be V -ed] Janet had been abused by her father since she was eleven. □ [V n] …parents who feel they cannot cope or might abuse their children. □ [V -ed] …those who work with abused children. ●  abus|er (abusers ) N‑COUNT □  …a convicted child abuser.

5 VERB You can say that someone is abused if extremely rude and insulting things are said to them. □ [be V -ed] He alleged that he was verbally abused by other soldiers. [Also V n]

6 VERB If you abuse something, you use it in a wrong way or for a bad purpose. □ [V n] He showed how the rich and powerful can abuse their position. ●  abus|er N‑COUNT □  …the treatment of alcohol and drug abusers. SYNONYMS abuse NOUN 1

ill-treatment:lll-treatment of animals is still commonplace.

injury:She was awarded £3,500 for injury to her feelings.

maltreatment:2,000 prisoners died as a result of torture and maltreatment. VERB 4

ill-treat:They were not ill-treated, but their time in captivity was miserable.

maltreat:He said that he was not tortured or maltreated during his detention.

abu|sive /əbjuː s I v/