I. ˈyüs noun
Etymology: Middle English us, from Anglo-French, from Latin usus, from uti to use
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : the act or practice of employing something : employment , application
he made good use of his spare time
b. : the fact or state of being used
a dish in daily use
c. : a method or manner of employing or applying something
gained practice in the use of the camera
2.
a.
(1) : habitual or customary usage
(2) : an individual habit or group custom
b. : a liturgical form or observance ; especially : a liturgy having modifications peculiar to a local church or religious order
3.
a. : the privilege or benefit of using something
gave him the use 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 use of the estate for life
4.
a. : a particular service or end
put learning to practical use
b. : the quality of being suitable for employment
saving things that might be of use
c. : good 2b
it's no use arguing
d. : the occasion or need to employ
took only what they had use for
5.
a. : the benefit in law of one or more persons ; specifically : 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 use for modern art
II. ˈyüz verb
( used ˈyüzd, in the phrase “used to” usually ˈyüs(t) ; us·ing ˈyü-ziŋ)
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
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 selfishly
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 use a coat of paint
intransitive verb
1. — used in the past with to to indicate a former fact or state
we used to go more often
didn't use to smoke
2. : to take illicit drugs regularly
Synonyms:
use , employ , utilize mean to put into service especially 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