usage

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈjuːsɪd͡ʒ/, /ˈjuːzɪd͡ʒ/ (UK); /ˈjusɪd͡ʒ/, /ˈjuzɪd͡ʒ/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Anglo-Norman usage, Old French usage, custom, habit, experience,^[2][3][4] from us (“use”), from Latin ūsus (“use, custom”) (see use), and -age.^[2][3][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

An established practice or custom: probably before 1300, in Kyng Alisaunder and Arthour and Merlin, in Barnhart;^[2] 1297 in the OED.^[6]

Semantic evolution

A tradition with the force of law is from about 1300.^[3] The act of using something is from the late 14th century,^[3] and treatment of persons, how one uses or is used, from the late 15th century.^[3] The customary way of using words in a language is from the late 14th century in Etymonline, and first recorded in 1697, in Defoe, in Barnhart.^[3][2] In Sussex dialect usage was food given to workmen besides their wages.^[7]

Timeline

• 1297 – an established custom.^[6]
• late 14th century – use; language usage.^[3]
• late 15th century – treatment.^[3]
• 1697 – customary use of words, in Defoe.^[2]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. The way in which words are actually used in a language.
2. The action of using something, or the amount used: water usage.
3. A habitual or established practice; custom.

Word family

• misusage
• nonusage
• usageaster
• ill-usage

Related words

• use
• usual
• usury
• utility

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
3. ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
6. ^ a b Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ Wright, Joseph, ed. (1898–1905), The English Dialect Dictionary, 6 vols., Oxford: Henry Frowde; via EDD Online 4.0, University of Innsbruck (CC BY 4.0)