utility
Meaning
The quality of being useful, profitable, or beneficial.
A public service such as the supply of water, electricity, or gas.
A company that provides such a public service.
A computer program designed for a routine task such as copying files or managing disks.
Structure
Usage
The design of the kitchen prioritizes practicality and utility over aesthetic appeal.
After the storm, the main utilities like power and water were restored within 48 hours.
This software package includes several handy utilities for system maintenance.
Etymology
The word 'utility' traces its lineage directly to Latin. Its core, utilis (useful), is itself derived from the verb uti, meaning "to use." The suffix -itas was a common Latin formative for creating abstract nouns denoting a state or quality. Thus, the literal construction "the state of being useful" was embedded in the word from its inception. Entering English via Old French utilité in the 14th century, it has retained this fundamental meaning while expanding into specific modern applications, such as public services and software tools, all of which are fundamentally defined by their usefulness.
Analysis
util (from Latin utilis, meaning "useful") + ity (from Latin -itas, a suffix forming nouns indicating a state or condition)