USE


Meaning of USE in English

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

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.