USE Use, n. Etym: [OE. us use, usage, L. usus, from uti, p. p. usus, to use. See Use, v. t.]
1. The act of employing anything, or of applying it to one's service; the state of being so employed or applied; application; employment; conversion to some purpose; as, the use of a pen in writing; his machines are in general use. Books can never teach the use of books. Bacon. This Davy serves you for good uses. Shak. When he framed All things to man's delightful use. Milton.
2. Occasion or need to employ; necessity; as, to have no further use for a book. Shak.
3. Yielding of service; advantage derived; capability of being used;
usefulness; utility.
God made two great lights, great for their use To man. Milton.
'T is use alone that sanctifies expense. Pope.
4. Continued or repeated practice; customary employment; usage; custom; manner; habit. Let later age that noble use envy. Spenser. How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable, Seem to me all the uses of this world! Shak.
5. Common occurrence; ordinary experience. [R.] O Cæsar! these things are beyond all use. Shak.
6. (Eccl.)
Defn: The special form of ritual adopted for use in any diocese; as,
the Sarum, or Canterbury, use; the Hereford use; the York use; the
Roman use; etc.
From henceforth all the whole realm shall have but one use. Pref. to
Book of Common Prayer.
7. The premium paid for the possession and employment of borrowed money; interest; usury. [Obs.] Thou art more obliged to pay duty and tribute, use and principal, to him. Jer. Taylor.
8. Etym: [In this sense probably a corruption of OF. oes, fr. L. opus need, business, employment, work. Cf. Operate.] (Law)