us·age
(y
s
j, -z
j)
KEY
NOUN:
-
- The act, manner, or amount of using; use:
the usage of a technical term; an instrument that measures water usage.
- The act or manner of treating; treatment:
subjected the car to rough usage.
- A usual, habitual, or accepted practice. See Synonyms at habit.
- The way in which words or phrases are actually used, spoken, or written in a speech community.
- A particular expression in speech or writing:
a nonce usage.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French, from
us, from Latin
sus, from past participle of
t
,
to use
