maltreat

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to treat a person or animal cruelly, violently, or without proper care

   The shelter prosecuted the owner for maltreating the neglected animals.

Modeled on French maltraiter, 'to treat badly,' and formed in English from mal-, 'badly,' + treat. The same negative prefix appears in malfunction and malpractice; maltreatment is the corresponding noun.

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External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
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