usage English · revision 6495

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1297|origins=la utor}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈjuːsɪd͡ʒ/, /ˈjuːzɪd͡ʒ/ ''(UK)''; /ˈjusɪd͡ʒ/, /ˈjuzɪd͡ʒ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|xno|usage]], Old French usage, custom, habit, experience,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[m|fro|us|t=use]], from [[la|ūsus|t=use, custom]] (see [[use]]), and [[-age]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ An established practice or custom: probably before 1300, in ''Kyng Alisaunder'' and ''Arthour and Merlin'', in Barnhart;^(Barnhart 1988) 1297 in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A tradition with the force of law is from about 1300.^(Etymonline) The act of using something is from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline) and treatment of persons, how one uses or is used, from the late 15th century.^(Etymonline) 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.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) In Sussex dialect usage was food given to workmen besides their wages.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1297 – an established custom.^(OED 1989)

+ * late 14th century – use; language usage.^(Etymonline)

+ * late 15th century – treatment.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1697 – customary use of words, in Defoe.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The way in which words are actually used in a language.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The action of using something, or the amount used: ''water usage''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A habitual or established practice; [[custom]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[misusage]]

+ * [[nonusage]]

+ * [[usageaster]]

+ * [[ill-usage]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[use]]

+ * [[usual]]

+ * [[usury]]

+ * [[utility]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}