usus Latin · revision 7766

16 Oct 2026, 14:34 by bogdan “New Latin entry (sources: de Vaan, OLD, Lewis & Short, TLL...)”
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+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Naevius|origins=la ūtor}}
+ 
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈuː.sʊs]^(Wiktionary)
+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈuː.s̬us]^(Wiktionary)
+ 
+ ==Forms==
+ '''ūsus''' ''m'' (genitive ūsūs); fourth declension^(Wiktionary)
+ 
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is from [[ūtor]] “to use” with the suffix of action nouns [[-tus]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline) Plautus has ⟨ussus⟩, Cicero's archaizing laws ⟨oesus⟩, and Varro the genitive ⟨ūsuis⟩.^(OLD 2012)
+ 
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ Köbler's first source is Naevius, whom he dates c. 235–200 BC.^(Köbler 2010) The OLD's earliest citations are from Plautus and Cato.^(OLD 2012)
+ 
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ It meant use, employment of a thing, as Caesar's men deprived of the use of necessities, and in Cato ''in ūsū esse'' to be in use.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) In law it meant the right to use another's property, as in Horace, ''ūsus frūctus'' the usufruct, as in Plautus, and continuous possession leading to ownership.^(OLD 2012) In Cicero it meant practice as opposed to theory, and in Terence practical experience, and ''ūsū venīre'' to happen, as in Cato.^(OLD 2012) From Varro it meant a usage, custom, and in Cicero dealings between persons.^(OLD 2012) From Plautus it meant usefulness, value, and need, ''ūsus est'' “there is need”.^(OLD 2012) Isidore explains it as what we use, as a staff for leaning.^(Isidore)
+ 
+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant use, want, need, enjoyment, practice, skill.^(Stelten 1995) Medieval Latin used it for custom, customary law and a customary duty.^(Niermeyer 1976) It survives in Italian and Spanish ''uso'' and French ''us''.^(Wiktionary) A Vulgar Latin ''*ūsāre'' from the same stem gave Old French ''user'' and [[en|use]] about 1200, and ''ūsuālis'' gave [[en|usual]].^(Etymonline)
+ 
+ ==Timeline==
+ * c. 235–200 BC – Naevius uses it.^(Köbler 2010)
+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses ''ūsus frūctus''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of practice.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * c. 1200 – English ''use'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)
+ 
+ ==Meanings==
+ ===Noun===
+ # [[m|en|Use]], employment, ''in ūsū esse'', to be in use.^(OLD 2012)
+ # The means of using; the power of using (a faculty).^(OLD 2012)
+ # ''(law)'' The right of use, ''ūsus frūctus'', [[m|en|usufruct]]; continuous possession.^(OLD 2012)
+ # Practice; experience, ''ūsū venīre'', to happen.^(OLD 2012)
+ # A usage, custom.^(OLD 2012)
+ # Dealings, intercourse.^(OLD 2012)
+ # Usefulness, value; function.^(OLD 2012)
+ # Need, ''ūsus est'', there is need.^(OLD 2012)
+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Custom; customary law.^(Niermeyer 1976)
+ 
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[ūsūcapiō]]
+ * [[ūsuālis]]
+ * [[ūsuārius]]
+ * [[ūsūfructuārius]]
+ * [[ūsūrecipiō]]
+ * [[ūsūrpō]]
+ 
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[ūtor]]
+ * [[ūsūra]]
+ * [[en|use]]
+ * [[en|usual]]
+ 
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}