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using |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Use \Use\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Used}; p. pr & vb n. {Using}.] [OE. usen, F. user to use use up wear out LL usare to use from L. uti, p. p. usus, to use OL oeti, oesus; of uncertain origin. Cf {Utility}.] 1. To make use of to convert to one's service; to avail one's self of to employ; to put a purpose; as to use a plow; to use a chair; to use time; to use flour for food; to use water for irrigation. Launcelot Gobbo, use your legs. --Shak. Some other means I have which may be used --Milton. 2. To behave toward; to act with regard to to treat; as to use a beast cruelly. ``I will use him well.'' --Shak. How wouldst thou use me now? --Milton. Cato has used me ill. --Addison. 3. To practice customarily; to make a practice of as to use diligence in business. Use hospitality one to another. --1 Pet. iv 9. 4. To accustom; to habituate; to render familiar by practice; to inure; -- employed chiefly in the passive participle; as men used to cold and hunger; soldiers used to hardships and danger. I am so used in the fire to blow. --Chaucer. Thou with thy compeers, Used to the yoke, draw'st his triumphant wheels. --Milton. {To use one's self}, to behave. [Obs.] ``Pray, forgive me if I have used myself unmannerly.'' --Shak. {To use up}. a To consume or exhaust by using; to leave nothing of as to use up the supplies. b To exhaust; to tire out to leave no capacity of force or use in to overthrow; as he was used up by fatigue. [Colloq.] Syn: Employ. Usage: {Use}, {Employ}. We use a thing or make use of it when we derive from it some enjoyment or service. We employ it when we turn that service into a particular channel. We use words to express our general meaning; we employ certain technical terms in reference to a given subject. To make use of implies passivity in the thing as to make use of a pen; and hence there is often a material difference between the two words when applied to persons. To speak of ``making use of another'' generally implies a degrading idea, as if we had used him as a tool; while employ has no such sense A confidential friend is employed to negotiate; an inferior agent is made use of on an intrigue. I would my son, that thou wouldst use the power Which thy discretion gives thee, to control And manage all --Cowper. To study nature will thy time employ: Knowledge and innocence are perfect joy. --Dryden. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: using n : an act that exploits or victimizes someone [syn: {exploitation}, {victimization}, {victimisation}]
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