Offensive US quartet seen in Lincoln? (7)
I believe the answer is:
abusive
'offensive' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'us quartet seen in lincoln?' is the wordplay.
'quartet' becomes 'IV' (Roman numerals for four).
'seen in' is an insertion indicator.
'lincoln?' becomes 'abe' (I've seen this in another clue).
'us'+'iv'='usiv'
'usiv' put into 'abe' is 'ABUSIVE'.
(Other definitions for abusive that I've seen before include "Insulting, foul-mouthed" , "scathing" , "Swearing, insulting" , "Insulting, being harshly critical or offensive" , "Prone to mistreat" .)