user English · revision 3919

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 1400|origins=en use}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈjuzɚ/; /ˈjuːzə/ ''(UK)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|user]], formed [[af|en|use|-er]].^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) It is related to [[use]] and [[usage]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ One who makes use of something: about 1400 in Etymonline and the OED.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of users of narcotics it is from 1935, first American,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and of computers from 1967.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) ''User-friendly'' is from 1977, though some say the software designer Harlan Crowder coined it as early as 1972.^(Etymonline) One who manipulates others for personal advantage is colloquial, first North American, from 1982.^(OED 1989) In northern dialect, as in the West Riding of Yorkshire, a user was a useful animal, such as a cow giving plenty of milk (1828).^(OED 1989)^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1400 – one who uses.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1828 – a useful animal, in dialect.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1935 – a drug user.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1967 – a computer user.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1977 – ''user-friendly''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1982 – one who exploits others.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # One who uses something.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # One who uses a computer or online service.^(OED 1989)

+ # One who uses addictive [[drug|alt=drugs]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # ''(informal)'' One who exploits others for personal gain.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[multiuser]]

+ * [[user-friendly]]

+ * [[user-unfriendly]]

+ * [[graphical user interface]]

+ * [[user group]]

+ * [[end user]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[misuser]]

+ * [[use]]

+ * [[usage]]

+ * [[abuse]]

+ * [[utility]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In law, ''user'' (1835) is the continued use or enjoyment of a right, as a different word, formed after ''non-user'' or ''abuser''.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}