use
use (yo̵̅o̅z; for n. yo̵̅o̅s)
transitive verb used (yo̵̅o̅zd; with “to, '' usually yo̵̅o̅s′tə), using us′·ing
- to put or bring into action or service; employ for or apply to a given purpose
- to practice; exercise to use one's judgment
- to act or behave toward; treat to use a friend badly
- to consume, expend, or exhaust by use: often with up to use up one's energy
- to smoke or chew (tobacco)
- to take or consume habitually to use drugs
- to make familiar; accustom: used in the passive with to to become used to certain ways
- to exploit or treat (a person) as a means to some selfish end
Etymology: ME usen < OFr user < VL *usare < L usus, pp. of uti, to use
intransitive verb
- to be accustomed; be wont: now only in the past tense, with an infinitive, meaning “did at one time” he used to live in Iowa
- Now Chiefly Dial. to frequent; resort
noun
- the act of using or the state of being used
- the power or ability to use to regain the use of an injured hand
- the right or permission to use to grant a neighbor the use of one's car
- the need, opportunity, or occasion to use no further use for his services
- an instance or way of using
- the quality that makes a thing useful or suitable for a given purpose; advantage; usefulness; worth; utility
- the object, end, or purpose for which something is used
- function, service, or benefit
- constant, continued, customary, or habitual employment, practice, or exercise, or an instance of this; custom; habit; practice; wont
- the particular form of ritual or liturgy practiced in a given church, diocese, etc.
- Law
- the enjoyment of property, as from occupying, employing, or exercising it
Etymology: infl. by OFr ues, gain < L opus, a work
profit, benefit, or advantage, esp. that from lands and tenements held in trust by another
Etymology: ME & OFr us < L usus
have no use for
- to have no need of
- to have no wish to deal with; be impatient with
- ☆ to have no affection or respect for; dislike strongly
in use
make use of
put to use
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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