[use] n [ME us, fr. OF, fr. L usus, fr. uti to use] (13c) 1 a: the act or practice of employing something: employment, application "he made good ~ of his spare time" b: the fact or state of being used "a dish in daily ~" c: a method or manner of employing or applying something "gained practice in the ~ of the camera"
2. a (1): habitual or customary usage (2): an individual habit or group custom b: a liturgical form or observance; esp: a liturgy having modifications peculiar to a local church or religious order 3 a: the privilege or benefit of using something "gave him the ~ of her car" b: the ability or power to use something (as a limb or faculty) c: the legal enjoyment of property that consists in its employment, occupation, exercise, or practice "she had the ~ of the estate for life"
4. a: a particular service or end "put learning to practical ~" b: the quality of being suitable for employment "saving things that might be of ~" c: the occasion or need to employ "took only what they had ~ for"
5. a: the benefit in law of one or more persons; specif: the benefit or profit of property established in one other than the legal possessor b: a legal arrangement by which such benefits and profits are so established
6: a favorable attitude: liking "had no ~ for modern art"
[2]use vb used ; us.ing vt (14c) 1 archaic: accustom, habituate
2: to put into action or service: avail oneself of: employ
3: to consume or take (as liquor or drugs) regularly
4: to carry out a purpose or action by means of: utilize; also: manipulate 2b "used him only as a means up the corporate ladder"
5: to expend or consume by putting to use--often used with up
6: to behave toward: act with regard to: treat "used the prisoners cruelly" 7: stand 1d "the house could ~ a coat of paint" ~ vi--used in the past with to to indicate a former fact or state "claims winters used to be harder" "didn't ~ to smoke so much" syn use, employ, utilize mean to put into service esp. to attain an end. use implies availing oneself of something as a means or instrument to an end "willing to use any means to achieve her ends". employ suggests the use of a person or thing that is available but idle, inactive, or disengaged "looking for better ways to employ their skills". utilize may suggest the discovery of a new, profitable, or practical use for something "an old wooden bucket utilized as a planter".