use

pronunciation

How to pronounce use in British English: UK [juːs] word uk audio image

How to pronounce use in American English: US [juːs] word us audio image

Noun:

the act of using
a particular service
what something is used for
(economics) the utilization of economic goods to satisfy needs or in manufacturing
a pattern of behavior acquired through frequent repetition
(law) the exercise of the legal right to enjoy the benefits of owning property
exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage
Verb:

put into service; make work or employ (something) for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
take or consume (regularly or habitually)
seek or achieve an end by using to one's advantage
use up, consume fully
avail oneself to
habitually do something (use only in the past tense)

Word Origin

use: use: [13] The verb use comes via Old French user from Vulgar Latin *ūsāre. This was derived from ūsus, the past participle of Latin ūtī ‘use’ (source also of English utensil, utility [14], utilize [19], etc). Latin ūsus was also used as a noun, meaning ‘use, usage’, and this has given English the noun use [13] and the derivatives usage [13] (an Old French formation), usual, usurp, and usury. Abuse [14] and peruse [15] (etymologically ‘use up’) go back to the same Latin roots.=> abuse, peruse, usual, usurp, usury, utensil, utilize

use (v.): c. 1200, "employ for a purpose," from Old French user "employ, make use of, practice, frequent," from Vulgar Latin *usare "use," frequentative form of past participle stem of Latin uti "make use of, profit by, take advantage of, enjoy, apply, consume," in Old Latin oeti "use, employ, exercise, perform," of uncertain origin. Related: Used; using. Replaced Old English brucan (see brook (v.)). From late 14c. as "take advantage of."

use (n.): c. 1200, "act of employing," from Anglo-French and Old French us "custom, practice, usage," from Latin usus "use, custom, practice, employment, skill, habit," from past participle stem of uti (see use (v.)).