Abusage

Origin

Abusage first appeared in the 16th century as a general synonym of abuse, but it fell into disuse after just a couple of centuries. The word reemerged in the language with a new grammar-specific sense after Eric Partridge published a book on grammar titled Usage and Abusage in 1942.

Full definition of abusage

Noun

1. (obsolete) Abuse. Attested from the mid 16^th century until the mid 17^th century.

1. Improper or incorrect use of language. First attested in the mid 20^th century.A stickler for the rules of grammar, Mrs. Walker cringes when she encounters any abusage by the students in her freshman English class.