How Do You Spell MALTREAT?

Pronunciation: [mˌaltɹˈiːt] (IPA)

The word maltreat (/mælˈtriːt/) is spelled with the prefix "mal-", meaning "badly" or "wrongfully", and the root word "treat". This word means to treat someone or something with cruelty or violence. The vowel sound in the first syllable is pronounced as in "man" and the second syllable is pronounced with a long "ee" sound as in "beet". It's important to spell this word correctly so as not to convey an incorrect meaning or cause confusion.

MALTREAT Meaning and Definition

  1. Maltreat is a verb that conveys the act of treating someone or something with cruel, abusive, or violent behavior. It refers to mistreating, abusing, or causing harm and suffering to another person, animal, or object. This term primarily involves physical or emotional abuse, where one purposely inflicts pain, punishment, or injury upon the recipient.

    When individuals maltreat others, they often exert their power or dominance over them, exploiting their vulnerability or subordinate position. Maltreatment can take various forms, including physical aggression, verbal or emotional abuse, neglect, or disregard for the well-being of someone or something. This harmful treatment is typically intentional, characterized by an intention to cause harm or to assert control and dominance over the victim.

    While maltreatment commonly refers to abusive actions directed towards vulnerable individuals, such as children, elderly people, or animals, it can also be used in broader contexts. For instance, it can encompass damaging or harming inanimate objects or entities, such as maltreating the environment or unjustly exploiting resources.

    The term "maltreat" implies a blatant disregard for the basic rights, dignity, and well-being of the maltreated party. It carries a negative connotation, suggesting an infringement of moral or ethical standards. Laws and regulations are often put in place to prevent and address instances of maltreatment, aiming to protect the rights and safety of individuals and ensure justice is served when such mistreatment occurs.

  2. To abuse; to treat roughly or rudely.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for MALTREAT

Etymology of MALTREAT

The word "maltreat" originated from the combination of two words: "mal" and "treat".

1. "Mal" is derived from the Latin word "malus", meaning "bad" or "evil". It often implies something negative, harmful, or morally wrong. Common words with the prefix "mal" include malice, malignant, and malpractice.

2. "Treat" comes from the Old English word "treatian", which means "to handle" or "to deal with" or even "to treat kindly". Eventually, it acquired the sense of "to act or entertain hospitably".

Hence, "maltreat" can be understood as treating someone or something in a harsh, cruel, or harmful manner, expressing the negative actions or behavior towards others.

Similar spelling words for MALTREAT

Conjugate verb Maltreat

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have maltreated
you would have maltreated
he/she/it would have maltreated
we would have maltreated
they would have maltreated
I would have maltreat
you would have maltreat
he/she/it would have maltreat
we would have maltreat
they would have maltreat

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been maltreating
you would have been maltreating
he/she/it would have been maltreating
we would have been maltreating
they would have been maltreating

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would maltreat
you would maltreat
he/she/it would maltreat
we would maltreat
they would maltreat

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be maltreating
you would be maltreating
he/she/it would be maltreating
we would be maltreating
they would be maltreating

FUTURE

I will maltreat
you will maltreat
he/she/it will maltreat
we will maltreat
they will maltreat

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be maltreating
you will be maltreating
he/she/it will be maltreating
we will be maltreating
they will be maltreating

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have maltreated
you will have maltreated
he/she/it will have maltreated
we will have maltreated
they will have maltreated

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been maltreating
you will have been maltreating
he/she/it will have been maltreating
we will have been maltreating
they will have been maltreating

IMPERATIVE

you maltreat
we let´s maltreat

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to maltreat

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was maltreating
you were maltreating
he/she/it was maltreating
we were maltreating
they were maltreating

PAST PARTICIPLE

maltreated

PAST PERFECT

I had maltreated
you had maltreated
he/she/it had maltreated
we had maltreated
they had maltreated

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been maltreating
you had been maltreating
he/she/it had been maltreating
we had been maltreating
they had been maltreating

PRESENT

I maltreat
you maltreat
he/she/it maltreats
we maltreat
they maltreat

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am maltreating
you are maltreating
he/she/it is maltreating
we are maltreating
they are maltreating

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

maltreating

PRESENT PERFECT

I have maltreated
you have maltreated
he/she/it has maltreated
we have maltreated
they have maltreated

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been maltreating
you have been maltreating
he/she/it has been maltreating
we have been maltreating
they have been maltreating

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it maltreat

SIMPLE PAST

I maltreated
you maltreated
he/she/it maltreated
we maltreated
they maltreated

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