maltreatment

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

maltreatment
    n 1: cruel or inhumane treatment; "the child showed signs of
         physical abuse" [syn: {maltreatment}, {ill-treatment},
         {ill-usage}, {abuse}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

maltreatment \mal*treat"ment\, n.; [Cf. F. maltraitement.]
   Cruel or inhumane treatment; ill usage; abuse.

   Syn: ill-treatment.
        [1913 Webster]

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