虐待
nüè dài · HSK 7
to mistreat
虐 cruel + 待 to treat = to treat cruelly, to abuse
待 dài is the same 'treat/wait on' as in 对待 (to treat someone); 虐 nüè adds the sense of cruel or tyrannical. Cruel-treating = mistreatment.
待 — chì 彳 (step) + 寺 sì (temple/phonetic)
待 combines the 'step' radical 彳, suggesting movement or a path, with 寺, which serves as the phonetic component. Originally it conveyed the idea of stopping along a road, which extended to 'waiting.' Over time it also took on related meanings like 'to treat' or 'to deal with' someone.