maltreatment

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   cruel, violent, neglectful, or otherwise harmful treatment of a person or animal

   The inquiry documented years of maltreatment at the institution.

Formed from maltreat + -ment. Maltreat came through French maltraiter, built from mal, 'badly,' and traiter, 'to treat.' The noun therefore denotes the act or condition of treating someone badly or harmfully.

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