use
use
UK[juːz]US[juːz]
v
to do something with an object, machine, or ability for a particular purpose
v
to take a particular amount of something from a supply
n
the act of using something, or the state of being used
n
a purpose or reason for using something
Etymology
The journey of 'use' begins with the Proto-Indo-European root h₃eyt-, which conveyed the concrete action of taking or reaching for something. This evolved into the Latin verb uti, which broadened to encompass the ideas of employing, enjoying, and experiencing. Through Old French us, the term entered English, carrying with it the core concept of employing something for a purpose. Over time, this concrete sense of employment expanded to include abstract applications, such as custom or practice, and the general state of being utilized, solidifying its modern, multifaceted meaning.
Analysis
The word 'use' is a simplex word derived from Old French us, from Latin usus ('use, custom, skill'), from the verb uti ('to use, employ, enjoy'). The Latin root is traced back to Proto-Indo-European h₃eyt- ('to take, reach for').
Examples
May I use your phone to make a call?
The recipe uses three eggs and a cup of flour.
The software is free for personal use.