verb
Freq #120723
Meanings
-
1
verb
to treat a person or animal cruelly, violently, or without proper care
The shelter prosecuted the owner for maltreating the neglected animals.
Thesaurus
Etymology
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.