maltreat

[ mal-treet ]
/ mælˈtrit /

verb (used with object)

to treat or handle badly, cruelly, or roughly; abuse: to maltreat a prisoner.

Origin of maltreat

1700–10; earlier maltrait < French maltraiter. See mal-, treat

OTHER WORDS FROM maltreat

mal·treat·er, noun mal·treat·ment, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH maltreat

maltreatment mistreatment

British Dictionary definitions for maltreatment

maltreat
/ (mælˈtriːt) /

verb

(tr) to treat badly, cruelly, or inconsiderately

Derived forms of maltreat

maltreater, noun maltreatment, noun

Word Origin for maltreat

C18: from French maltraiter