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usage definition

us·age (yo̵̅o̅′sij, -zij)

noun

  1. the act, way, or extent of using or treating; treatment; use
  2. long-continued or established practice; habitual or customary use or way of acting; custom; habit
  3. the way in which a word, phrase, etc. is used to express a particular idea; customary manner of using the words of a given language in speaking or writing, or an instance of this

Etymology: OFr < ML usagium < L usus: see use

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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