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definitions

child abuse

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noun

mistreatment of a child by a parent or guardian, including neglect, beating, and sexual molestation.

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Nearby words

  1. chil-,
  2. chilalgia,
  3. chilblain,
  4. chilcat,
  5. child,
  6. child benefit,
  7. child bride,
  8. child custody,
  9. child endowment,
  10. child guidance

Origin of child abuse

First recorded in 1970–75
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for child abuse

British Dictionary definitions for child abuse

child abuse

noun

physical, sexual, or emotional ill-treatment or neglect of a child, esp by those responsible for its welfareSee also nonaccidental injury
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012