Forms: α. 3–4, 7 vsen (5 vsyn, vson), 3–4 usen (5 usyn), 4–7 vse (3–4 vsi, 4 vsy, 4–5 vsie, Sc. 5–6 wse, 6 ws, vsz), 4– use (4 usy, 8 ues); 5 ouse, yowese, 6 (9 dial.) youse, 9 dial. yuse, 5 (9 dial.) hewse, 6 euse (9 dial. ewse). β. north. and Sc. 4 oise, 4–6 oys, oyse, 5–6 oyss (5 oysse, os, ose), 6 oiss; 4 wyse, 5 vyse, 6 vise. [ad. OF. user (also F.), useir, usser, uiser, etc. (= Sp. and Pg. usar, It. usare, med.L. ūsāre), f. L. ūs-, ppl. stem of ūtī: see prec.]
I. 1. trans. To celebrate, keep, or observe (a rite, custom, etc.); to pursue or follow as a custom or usage.
a. 1240. Lofsong, in O. E. Hom., I. 207. Þurh alle þe oðre sacremenz þet holi chirche foluweð and useð.
c. 1290. Beket, 518, in S. Eng. Leg., I. 121. Customes here weren bi-fore i-vsed, ich onder-stonde.
1340. Ayenb., 48. Vor alle þe sacremens of holi cherche me ssel vsi clenliche.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), IV. 351. Þat manere is ȝit i-used in the chirche of Rome.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 9097. Þen ordant was … a fynerall fest, þat frekes þen vset.
a. 1450[?]. Compend. Treat., in Roy, Rede me, etc. (Arb.), 183. The lettre of the ceremonies of ye olde lawe sleyth the Iewes and them that nowe vsen them.
c. 1450. St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 2076. Þai vsed customes vnstabill.
1504. in Leadam, Star Chamber Cases (Selden Soc., 1911), II. 286. Contrare to ther costomez out of tyme of mynde vsed.
c. 1592. Marlowe, Jew of Malta, IV. ii. Bar. No, ’tis an order which the Fryars vse.
1622. J. Taylor (Water P.), Farew. Tower-bottles, A 2 b. So … did Customes change: The Ancient vse, vs’d many yeares before, Was solde.
1625. Purchas, Pilgrims, II. 1132. The like custom is vsed throughout the Dominions of Mutezuma.
a. 1648. Ld. Herbert, Hen. VIII. (1683), 7. That the Crown might be put on the King’s Head with that Solemnity, which in former times was used.
1889. Meiklejohn, New Hist. Eng., I. 11. Many noble Britons assumed and used the Roman toga,… and the customs and manners of their conquerors.
† b. (To be) used, to constitute a use, usage, or custom; to be usual or customary. Also (b) with to (and inf.), or that (and clause). Obs.
13[?]. Gosp. Nicodemus (G.), 122. Of Emperoures þat are had bene Þis was used in þat land.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), V. 145. It was i-ordeyned þe Lente fastynge of Crist … schulde bygynne and dure as it is now i-used.
1422. Yonge, trans. Secreta Secret., 247. Aftyr the … houre of the day y-custumet or vset.
1550. Crowley, Last Trumpet, 1231. Thou shalt not fynd that thou maiest … leauy a great fine More then hath bene vsed alwayes.
1582. Stanyhurst, Æneis, I. (Arb.), 28. Of Tyrian virgins too weare thus a quiuer is vsed [L. mos est].
1648. Gage, West Ind., 88. I thought … of Indians turned into the shape of beasts (which amongst some hath been used).
1650. in W. S. Perry, Hist. Coll. Amer. Col. Ch. (1860), I. 2. It shall be lawful, as it hath been used heretofore, to make Probates of wills … in the Colony.
(b) 1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XVIII. 377. It is nouȝt vsed in erthe to hangen a feloun Ofter þan ones.
c. 1450. in Surtees Misc. (1890), 62. It is usyd that the sayd Burgese schall chese … two ale tastars.
1487. Sc. Acts, Jas. III. (1814), II. 182/2. Ane vthir to … haue thare feis as wes vsit to be gevin to … changeoures in ald tymes.
1523. Fitzherb., Husb., § 15. It is vsed in many countreys, the husbandes to haue an oxe-harowe … made of sixe smal peces of timbre.
1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VII., 50 b. It was also vsed that he … shoulde likewise … be … committed to the Bishoppes pryson.
1577. Fulke, Answ. True Christian, 42. From the beginning it was not vsed to praye for the deade.
1621. Bp. Mountagu, Diatribæ, 531. It was in old times vsed … for men to shaue themselues.
1642. trans. Perkins’ Prof. Bk., ii. § 119. 53. Forasmuch as it is commonly used to write a deed before it be sealed.
† 2. To observe or comply with (a law, rule, etc.); to enforce or put into practice. Obs.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 9478. Þis es hot lagh … Vsed in curth þis ilk dai.
c. 1320. Cast. Love, 240. In þe kynges court ȝit vche day Me vseþ þulke selue lay.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 5240. Alle luþer lawes þat long hadde ben vsed.
1440. Paston Lett., I. 40. The Duk … hath made his oath upon the Sacrement, and usyd it, never for to bere armes ayenst Englond.
c. 1450. St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 2076. To vse þair reule þai [sc. monks] had na wille. Ibid., 3706. Our haly faders statutes,… Vyse ȝe þaim besyly as ȝow aghte.
1526. Tindale, 1 Tim. i. 8. We know that the lawe is god, yf a man vse it lawfully.
1609. Skene, Reg. Maj., 3. Al Barons sall receaue, and vse the lawes, as they are vsed in the Kings court.
3. To prosecute or pursue (some course of action); to do, perform, carry on. Now rare.
α. a. 1352. Minot, Poems (ed. Hall), ii. 30. Þe Skotte … vses all threting with gaudes and gile.
1444. Rolls of Parlt., V. 121. The seid Co[mun]alte … may use accion of the somes of money accorded to be payd to the seid Co[mun]alte, ayeinst him. Ibid. (1454), 255. That all manere of persones … use thaire continuel abood uppon thaire said Office.
1547. Boorde, Introd. Knowl, 217. They be lyght fyngerd, and vse pyking.
1573. Tusser, Husb. (1878), 113. Use now in thy rie, little raking or none.
1648. Gage, West Ind., x. 35. The chiefest Market place, where all the buying and selling was used.
1670. Narborough, Jrnl., in Acc. Sev. Late Voy., I. (1694), 52. They use bathing and stuping those places.
1765–8. Erskine, Inst. Law Scot., II. ix. § 4. The superior’s consent is presumed, from his not using acts of interruption.
1873. W. Stokes, Rapid Writing, 100. The Art of using writing should be … inculcated by all teachers.
β. 1375. Barbour, Bruce, X. 565. I oysit lang that travalling, So that I can that rod ga richt.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., VII. x. 3528. In Ingilwode and Bernnysdaile Þai oyssit al þis tyme þar trawale.
c. 1450. St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 7008. At his graue he vysit praying.
1513. Douglas, Æneid, XII. xiv. 110. Oys furth thy chance: quhat nedis proces mar?
† 4. To ply or carry on (an occupation, profession, etc.); to follow or exercise; to discharge the functions of (an office). Obs.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, XII. 414. Men that oysis thai mysteris.
1382. Wyclif, 1 Chron. xxiv. 2. Eleasar vsede presthode, and Ythamar.
c. 1440. Generydes, 1176. Wherefore they calle vs noo good lauenders, And we haue vsid it thus many yerez.
1495. Acta Dom. Conc. (1839), 415/1. In caise … Alexander haid remanit … nocht within þe said toune nor vsand þe Course of merchandise þerintill.
1542. Reg. Cupar Abbey, II. 22. We will at nane hant nor vs the office of brewing, bakin, selling of wyne [etc.].
1556. Rec. Inverness (New Spald. Cl.), I. 2. Aganis the law the sayd Thom … dispresit him wsand his office.
1585. T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., II. viii. 42. [If] she will continue in that occupation, she … may vse it at her pleasure.
1611. Bible, 1 Tim. iii. 10. Then let them vse the office of a Deacon, being found blamelesse.
1652. Needham, trans. Selden’s Mare Cl., 197. Merchants … using Commerce in the very Sea with the Inhabitants.
1665. in De Foe, Plague (1754), 48. That no Searcher … be permitted to use any public Work or Employment.
1721. Perry, Daggenh. Breach, 115. Commanders of Ships, particularly those who use the Southern Trade.
1773. Life N. Frowde, 75. An Implement Mr. M‘Namara had worn ever since he used the Mediterranean Trade.
transf. 1730. Lett. to Strickland rel. Coal Trade, 16. A Number of Ships crouded into the [Coal] Trade, that did not use it before.
† b. To follow or pursue (a manner or course of life). Obs.
c. 1340. Hampole, Prose Tr., 25. Our Lorde forto stere som forto vse this medlid liffe toke [etc.].
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour (1868), 12. [She] used the blessed lyf that any woman might.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 195 b/1. Whan she had lyued and usyd thys lyf fyfty yere.
1578. Scot. Poems 16th C. (1801), II. 125. The wicked life that I did vse.
1821. Scott, Pirate, xxxi. I am determined to turn honest man, and use this life [sc. piracy] no longer.
c. To spend or pass (a period of time) in a certain way. (Now only as implying sense 7.)
1477. Earl Rivers (Caxton), Dictes, 5. He is happy that usith his dayes in doyng couenable thinges.
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Huon, lxxxii. 256. In grete doloure & payne I haue vsyd my youth.
1538. Starkey, England, I. I. 24. So now also vse your tyme … to the mayntenance … of the same.
1607. Shaks., Timon, III. i. 39. I haue obserued thee alwayes for … one that knowes what belongs to reason; and canst vse the time wel.
1613. Sidney’s Arcadia, III. 390. Now me thinks it time To goe vnto the Bride, and vse this day.
1873. W. Stokes, Rapid Writing, 43. Use your spare moments in practising Writing.
† d. To frequent (another’s company). Obs.
1547. Boorde, Brev. Health, cccxxix. C vij. Fyrste lyue out of syn … and than vse honest myrth and honest company.
1564. Child-Marriages (1897), 101. As report is, she hath vsid the evill Companie or William Gallimour.
1599. Shaks., etc., Pass. Pilgr., 422. They that fawn’d on him before Use his company no more.
5. To engage in, practise (a game, etc.).
1320–30. Horn Ch., 42. To harpe wele, and play at ches, And al gamen that used is.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 2225. Summe þay vseþ a maner of play to caste wel a spere.
1557. North, Gueuara’s Diall Pr., I. ii. (1568), 163. They agree to their scollers to vse some pastyme.
1581. Southampton Court Leet Rec. (1906), II. 221. Dennys Edwardes … comenly vssethe vnlawffull games.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 299. Use not Exercise and a Spare Diet;… if much Exercise, then a Plentifull Diet.
c. 1636. A. Stafford, Just Apol. (1860), p. xxxix. To shoote in … Cross-Bowes, and to vse diverse other Recreations.
1764. in Willis & Clark, Cambridge (1886), III. 539. A … corpulent Man, who lived freely and used no Exercise.
1770[?]. T. Bridges, Homer, 11. Let discord cease, Use War abroad, at home use Peace.
1794. S. Williams, Vermont, 83. In such a situation, he uses no exercise.
1801. Strutt, Sports & Past., II. ii. 74. In old time,… wrestling was more used than it has been of later years.
† b. To have experience, or be engaged, in (war).
c. 1440. Alph. Tales, 76. Alde knyghtis þat … vsyd batels & cuthe gyff gude cowncell.
1474. Caxton, Chesse, II. iv. (1883), 44. He had longe tyme vsid the warre.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froissart, I. cclxxv. 167 b/2. He had long tyme vsed tho warre, and sene great experience therin.
6. To put into practice or operation; to carry into action or effect.
In very freq. use, with a variety of objects, c. 1340–c. 1610.
α. 13[?]. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 2106. He is a mon methles, & mercy non vses.
13[?]. Coer de L., 4670. Yiff thou it [sc. clemency] use, Thou dedest nought as I the bad.
c. 1400. Ywaine & Gaw., 36. For trowth and luf es al bylaft, Men uses now another craft.
c. 1440. Alph. Tales, 353. He vsid robborie, avowtrie, inceste.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, e vj b. He … vsed all euyl dedes which he couthe ymagyne to doo.
1542. Brinklow, Lament., I Certayne greate vyces vsed therin [sc. in London].
1550. Baldwin, Mor. Philos., N vi. To vse vertue is perfecte blessednesse.
1589. Greene, Menaphon (Arb.), 88. Twas a good world when such simplicitie was vsed, sayes the old women of our time.
1616. R. C., Times’ Whistle (1871), 50. All lawyers I cannot heerof accuse, For some there are that doe a conscience vs.
1644. Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 37. The like severity no doubt was us’d.
a. 1680. Butler, Rem. (1759), I. 15. She [Nature] affects so much to use Variety, in all she does.
1710. W. King, Heathen Gods & Heroes, 41. Her other Brother Neptune used the same Freedom with her.
1758. S. Hayward, Serm., p. xiv. It is certainly a minister’s duty … to use plainness and faithfulness.
1839. Fr. A. Kemble, Resid. in Georgia (1863), 76. They consider it the lowest degradation in a white to use any exertion.
1898. Scribner’s Mag., Dec., 690. It was her regular smile, the one she used every evening.
β. a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, etc., 497. Oysand sorow for my syn.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xii. (Matthias), 108. Quhen na man mycht se, Þane wald he oyse sic cruelte.
1447. Bokenham, Seyntys (Roxb.), 167. For þe facundye wych she oysyd þere.
c. 1500. Lancelot, 1699. To mych to oys familiaritee Contempnyng bryngith one to hie dugre.
b. To practise or exercise towards, against, or upon others.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VII. 17. He wolde have i-used þe strengþe of religioun, but þe cruelte of Gascoyns wolde nouȝt suffre it.
1388. Wyclif, Matt. xx. 25. Thei that ben gretter, vsen power on hem.
c. 1460. Fortescue, Abs. & Lim. Mon., ii. (1885), 111. Vsing vppon thaim the lordshippe that is callid dominium regale tantum.
1470. Henry, Wallace, VI. 895. Sic salusyng I oyss till Inglis men.
1542. Udall, in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden), 4. It maye please your maistership to use towardes me sum moderacion.
1598. R. Bernard, trans. Terence, Andria, Prol. I pray you … use not parcialitie, and diligently weigh the matter.
1632. Massinger & Field, Fatal Dowry, V. i. Therefore use a conscience … To me.
1653. Holcroft, Procopius, Goth. Wars, I. 6. The Goths … had used hostility upon Gratiana.
1656. Earl Monm., trans. Boccalini’s Advts. fr. Parnass., I. xv. Ingratitude which moral Philosophers were daily seen to use towards their benefactors.
1702. Eng. Theophrast., 124. The violences we commit upon our selves are oftentimes more painful, than those which other people use towards us.
1737. Whiston, Josephus, Antiq., VI. iii. § 4. The ungrateful conduct they have used towards me.
1822. Shelley, trans. Calderon, III. 78. Tell me all, what poisonous Power Ye use against me.
II. 7. To make use of (some immaterial thing) as a means or instrument; to employ for a certain end or purpose.
α. c. 1315. Shoreham, I. 532. Wel bet may god to oure prou Dyuerse formes vsy.
c. 1340. Richard Rolle of Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 3503. I rede ilk man … Þat he use þa ten thinges sere Þat fordus … Alle veniel syns.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, iii. (Andrew), 946. Vndir ȝour proteccione to luf in contemplacione, and warldly thingis to refuse and hewinly thing sine to wse.
c. 1400. St. Alexius (Laud 622), 672. I graunt wel þat it be so, Þine bedes ȝif þou wilt ouse.
c. 1410. Lanterne of Liȝt, 132. Þat helpe may cum of vsing Goddis word.
1464. Rolls of Parlt., V. 561/2. The preferment of labour and occupacion, such as hath been used by the makyng of the seid Cloth.
1537. Cromwell, in Merriman, Life & Lett. (1902), II. 107. That vising your effortes ernestly … in other pointes of your charche & comission you schalbe playne with the said depute.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 52. He so vsed the matter with Adrian the fourth…, that he was by him dispensed of his aforesayde othe.
1592. Arden of Feversham, I. i. 256. As sharpe witted Poets … Vse humble promise to their sacred Muse.
1614. T. Davies (Heref.), Eclogue 198. I nill vsen any skill so mytch … as this so nice, and free.
1671. Milton, P. R., II. 380. And who withholds my pow’r that right to use?
1732. Bp. Berkeley, Alciphr., V. § 35. Freedom is either a blessing or a curse as men use it.
1766. Goldsm., Vicar, xxi. His generous patron … judged it highly expedient to use dispatch, lest [etc.].
1819. Shelley, Cenci, I. i. 127. The third of my possessions! I must use Close husbandry, or gold … Falls from my withered hand.
1877. Sparrow, Serm., xiv. 183. The blessings of this life generally, he says, the good man uses but does not serve.
1884. trans. Lotze’s Metaph., 433. Using the images of processes which themselves spring from it in a way we cannot explain.
β a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, Prol. (1884), 4. He spekis of crist … in þat at he oises þe voice of his seruantes.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xxvi. (Nicholas), 730. I pray ȝou Þat ȝe wil oys it [sc. the legend] dewotly.
a. 1400. in Hampole’s Wks. (Horstm.), I. 261. Þan awe it maste of alle othire Orysouns to be Oysede in all-haly kyrke.
b. With to (and inf., or sb. denoting purpose).
c. 1275. Lay., 24293. Moche hii vsede þat craft [= astronomy] to lokie in þan lufte.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. X. 129. Þo þat vseth þis hauelounes to blende mennes wittes.
14[?]. Lydgate’s Horse, Shepe & G., 507, in Pol., Rel., & L. Poems (1903), 36. Vse her yiftes & her prerogatives To that same eende.
1486. Bk. St. Albans, c v. That an hauke use hir craft all the seson to flye or lefe.
1551. in Feuillerat, Revels Edw. VI. (1914), 56. In the meane tyme to vse soche dilligence to his furnyture, as shall seme to you expedyent.
1578. Timme, Calvin on Gen., 109. Sacrifices were used of the holy fathers, to celebrate the benefits of God.
1644. Direct. Publique Worship, 32. Endeavours ought to be used to convince him.
1728. Veneer, Sincere Penitent, Pref. p. x. The emperor was obliged to use all his authority to make him leave Antioch.
1798. S. & Ht. Lee, Canterb. T., II. 3. The arguments used by Lady Lettingham to detain her brother.
1821. Scott, Kenilw., xxxviii. Until she had used her own efforts to have her rights acknowledged by him.
1874. Green, Short Hist., vii. 409. Elizabeth used the daring blow to back her negotiations for peace.
c. To employ (a standard, type, etc.).
a. 1300. Cursor M., 27274. Vsand oþer weght or mette Again þe lagh in land es sett. Ibid., 28437. Again þe lagh … Haf i wysed fals weght and mette.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), I. 37. Þey haueþ a ȝere of apperynge þat þey vseþ in calculynge and in cronicle.
1563. Shute, Archit., B j b. Afterwardes vsing then the measures of the forsayde Pillours.
1662. Stillingfl., Orig. Sacræ, I. i. § 20. They might use the form of the Phœnician Letters.
1706. Act 6 Anne, c. 11 § 17. That … the same Weights and Measures shall be used throughout the United Kingdom.
1826. Jas. Veitch, Tables, etc. 7. The weight used for Hay … contains 22 pounds … in the Stone.
8. To employ or make use of (an article, etc.), esp. for a profitable end or purpose; to utilize, turn to account.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 2391. Ȝif þe be leyde a borde to wedde,… Ȝif þou hit vse aȝens hys wylle, holy cherche seyþ þat þou dost ylle.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, Prol. (1884), 4. Þis boke of all haly writ is mast oysed in halykyrke seruys.
c. 1400. Cato’s Morals, 152, in Cursor M. Þat þou has gitin to þe, vse hit in honeste, & be noȝt calde niþing.
c. 1450. St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 1098. In swete mylk sethe floure of wheete, And vyse it whils it hase þe heete.
1486. Bk. St. Albans, e iv b. At holyrode day he gooth to Ryde, And vsith the bit When he may gele hit.
1556. Rec. Inverness (New Spald. Cl.), I. 2. The serwandis quha wes wyrkand and wssand the bot on the loch.
1585. T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., I. xviii. 21. Vpon high places they vse cesternes, but vppon the plaine … they haue many welles.
1680. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., x. 187. When the Wheel is used, its Edge stands athwart the Cheeks of the Lathe.
1736. Bailey, Housh. Dict., s.v. Acorns, Both the Acorn and husk, are us’d in many astringent medicines.
a. 1815. in A. T. Thomson, Lond. Disp., 524. It is necessary that all the vessels,… which are used, be of glass.
1833. J. Holland, Manuf. Metal, II. 36. In the manufacture of surgeons’ instruments…, the very best steel … should be exclusively used.
1900. Longm. Mag., March, 435. I received for answer that the first flower used felt cooler than the second one.
b. To wear as an article of apparel.
c. 1375. Cursor M., 2048 (Fairf.). Na breke was vsed þan in lande.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, vii. (James Minor), 59. Na claþs of sylk he wald nocht were, bot lenyne clath he oysit ay.
a. 1450. Myrc, Par. Pr., 1032. Hast þou ben prowde of any gyse Of any þynge þat þou dedust vse, Of party hosen, of pykede schone.
1593. Marlowe, Hero & Leander, I. 31. Buskins of shels all siluered vsed she.
a. 1660. Contemp. Hist. Irel. (Ir. Archeol. Soc.), I. 183. How the Councell ussed vizards.
1857. R. M. Ballantyne, Coral Island, iv. As they [sc. boots] fitted his large limbs and feet, he consented at last to use them.
1885. Dillon, Fairholt’s Costume, II. 302. A cloak with a hood, used when travelling.
1889. [see 1].
c. To make use of (land, ground, etc.) by working, tilling, or occupying.
1573. Tusser, Husb. (1878), 17. To get good plot to occupie, and store and vse it husbandlie.
1604. E. G[rimstone], D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, IV. 209. Although there be … many mines…as at the Indies, yet they vse none but those of gold and silver.
1641. Aldeburgh Rec., in N. & Q., 12th Ser. IX. 146/2. Of Robt. Fowler for a yeeres fearme for the shopp he useth. Ibid. Recvd: of Henry Lawrence for usinge the Towne ground.
1736. Pegge, Kenticisms (E.D.S.), 54. He uses it [sc. land for farming] himself. Ibid. Who uses this or that farm?
9. To work, employ, or manage (an implement, instrument, etc.); to manipulate, operate, or handle, esp. to some useful or desired end.
13[?]. K. Alis., 5256. The glevmen useden her tunge; The wode aqueightte so hy sunge.
1340–70. Alex. & Dind., 439. Vs ne likeþ no lome in oure land vse.
1446. Lydg., 2 Nightingale Poems, i. 305. The fende … Leying hys lynes and with mony a bayte Wsynge his hokes.
1474. Caxton, Chesse, II. iv. (1883), 44. That he had longe tyme vsid … armes.
1539. Bible (Great), Numb. x. 2. That thou mayst vse them [sc. trumpets] to call ye congregacion together.
1582. N. Lichefield, trans. Castanheda’s Conq. E. Ind., I. iii. 8 b. The people … using the selfe same sorte of darts.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., II. ii. 5. Good Launcelot Iobbo, vse your legs,… run awaie.
1611. Bible, Jer. xxiii. 31. I am against the prophets … that vse their tongues.
1613. Purchas, Pilgrimage (1614), 62. In their festiuals they vsed … musical instruments.
1733. Tull, Horse-Hoeing Husb., 295. A Farmer who uses this Plow, may Till in all Weathers.
1765. A. Dickson, Treat. Agric. (ed. 2), 154. Of the instruments used in tillage.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, ii. While I form armour and weapons for others, I cannot myself withstand the temptation of using them.
1859. Tennyson, Geraint & Enid, 900. [I have] wrought too long with delegated hands, Not used mine own.
1880. Encycl. Brit., XI. 504/2. In these investigations he … used a perspicillum or simple lens.
10. To employ (a person, animal, etc.) in some function or capacity, esp. for an advantageous end.
1382. Wyclif, 2 Macc. iv. 40. The cumpanyes aȝein rysynge…. Lysymacus almest three thousand aarmyd wickid hondis bygan for to vse, [by] sum tyraunt duyk.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, V. 27. In Gyllisland thar was that brachell brede, Sekyr off sent to folow thaim at flede. So was scho vsyt on Esk.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 299. Vpon the asse, whiche of no man before had ben vsed ne exercised.
1541. Wyatt, Declar., Wks. 1816, II. 281. I used Weldon and Sworder … to be spies over Brauncetour.
1598. Florio, s.v. Mulatiere, The carriers … driue mules, and vse them to carrie.
1600. W. Watson, Decacordon (1602), 214. He had better haue vsed his friend in another matter.
16[?]. Middleton, etc., Old Law, I. i. If you want money, to-morrow use me.
1671. Milton, Samson, 1499. Were not his purpose To use him further yet in some great service.
1706. Act 6 Anne c. 16 § 6. If any person … shall keep or use any Greyhounds … to kill and destroy the Game.
1802. James, Milit. Dict., s.v., He used his choicest troops on that decisive day.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), V. 54. They used and honoured all the talent which they could find.
1897. A. Lillie, Croquet, 170. In making your break use your partner in preference to your adversary.
transf. c. 1600. Breton, Daffodils & Primroses, Wks. (Grosart), I. 20/1. Some will saie (that many muses vse) There are but nyne, that euer vsde to wryte.
b. To have sexual intercourse with. Obs. exc. dial. (Cf. USE sb. 3 b.)
13[?]. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 2426. Alle þay were biwyled With wymmen þat þay vsed.
1382. Wyclif, Prol. Bible, iii. 6. Thei that han … newly weddid a wyf, and not vsid hir.
1411–2. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 1583. For þise causes thow hire vse muste, And for non othir.
1541. Act 33 Hen. VIII., c. 21. If the queene or wife of the prince … stirre any person … to vse or haue carnal knowledge with them.
1565. Child-Marriages (1897), 201. Hit hath bene told this deponent, that they have vsid either other at bed and board, as man and wief.
1584. R. Scot, Discov. Witchcr., IV. v. (1886), 63. Manie are so bewitched that they cannot use their owne wives.
1611. Cotgr., Accommoder une femme, to vse a woman.
1650. Bulwer, Anthropomet., 197. Bels of gold,… which they put in when they are of age to use Women.
1889. N. W. Linc. Gloss. (ed. 2), 590. To use women, to commit fornication or adultery.
11. To take or partake of as food, drink, etc.; to consume by eating or drinking. Also fig.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., B. 11. Þay teen vnto his temmple & temen to hymn seluen,… Þay hondel þer his aune body & vsen hit boþe.
1382. Wyclif, Exod. xxx. 38. Eche man that doth lyik thing, that he ful vse [L. perfruatur] the smel [1388 odour] of it, he shal peryshe fro his puplis.
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 23. For who that useth that [food] he knoweth Ful selden seknesse on him groweth.
a. 1450. Myrc, Par. Pr., 1940. Ȝef any flye, gnat, or coppe Doun in-to þe chalys droppe,… Vse hyt hol alle i-fere.
c. 1480. Henryson, Lion & Mouse, xiii. Quhilk vsis daylie meittis delitious.
1542. Boorde, Dyetary, xxvi. (1870), 289. And vse these thynges, Cowe mylke, Almon mylke, yolkes of rere egges.
1585. T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., IV. xix. 134. [In] Lent they doe fast…, vsing none other food, then … hearbs, frutes, and certaine leane pottages.
1613. Purchas, Pilgrimage (1614), 483. They drinke not wine, nor vse vinegar, but onely water.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., III. 102. Lemmons … the Turkes vse at their meate, as we doe the Verges.
1859. Tennyson, Merlin & V., 462. Yea! Love … carves A portion from the solid present, eats And uses, careless of the rest.
† b. To partake of (the sacrament); to take or receive (the eucharist). Obs. (Chiefly absol.)
c. 1450. St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 7074. Þe sacrement … At þe last he … vsed and toke.
1567. Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.), 17. Quha vsis it vnworthilie Ressauis deide eternallie.
absol. a. 1375. Joseph Arim., 660. Þenne com Ihesu crist…; He vsede of Goddes bord & a writ brouhte.
1389. in Eng. Gilds (1870), 14. From þe leuacioun of cristis body sacrid in til þat þe preest haue vsed.
14[?]. Pol., Rel., & L. Poems (1906), 122. When þe preste hath don his masse, Vsed, & his hondes wasche.
c. 1450. St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 7058. When he [sc. a priest] suld vse, In to þe chalys lokes he.
12. To expend or consume (a commodity, etc.) by use; to exhaust by employment.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 522/2. Weryn, or vson, as clothys and other thyngys…, vetero.
1699. Boyer, Fr. Dict., s.v. User. They use, waste or burn a great deal of Wood in that House.
1747. Mrs. Glasse, Cookery, p. ii. A Cook that used six Pounds of Butter to fry twelve Eggs.
1791. R. Mylne, 2nd Rep. Thames Navig., 11. The Millers … were using all the Water as fast as possible.
1849. Soyer, Mod. Housewife, 357. [As] the cream … rises in a froth,… place it on the sieve; continue till all is used.
13. To use up: a. To consume (a commodity or stock) by use; to exhaust the supply of.
1785. Grose, Dict. Vulgar T., Used up, killed; a military saying, originating from a message sent by the late general Guise, on the expedition to Carthagena [etc.].
1811. Ld. Brougham, in Bentham, Wks. (1843), X. 462. I cannot possibly better use up (as the housewives say) this little credit.
1847. Illustr. Lond. News, 10 July, 27/3. To see if there were anything there that had not yet been used up.
1875. Merivale, Gen. Hist. Rome, li. 406. The genuine Roman race must have been almost used up in the desperate warfare.
b. To dispose or ‘make an end’ of (a person). Orig. U.S. colloq.
1832. James Hall, Leg. West, 38. It ’s a mercy, madam, that the cowardly varments had n’t used you up, body-aciously.
1863. in Southern Hist. Soc. Papers, XII. 220. If you advance … on them in front while I attack them in flank I think we can use them up.
c. colloq. To exhaust with fatigue, overwork, etc.; to overtire, wear out.
1850. Smedley, F. Fairlegh, x. I saw you were getting used up.
1882. Besant, All Sorts, xxviii. (1898), 199. The girls grow up narrow-chested, stooping, consumptive. They are used up wholesale.
1884. ‘Edna Lyall,’ We Two, v. Even if it should use me up, what then?
1887. Daily Tel., 5 March (Encycl. Dict.). We have used up no fewer than six Irish Secretaries in little more than as many years.
14. To use off or out, = sense 13 a.
1812. Southey, Omniana, II. 2. An obscure … periodical publication, which has long since been used off as ‘winding sheets for herrings.’
1849. Froude, Nemesis of Faith, 109. The heart will have used out its power, and thoughts … will be unreal still.
III. 15. To speak or converse in (a language); to write or talk.
c. 1275. Lay., 10068. Folk gan to vsi Yrlondes speche.
c. 1330. Arth. & Merl., 23. Freynsche vse þis gentilman, Ac euerich Inglische Inglische can.
c. 1500. Droichis Part of Play, 111. For never in land quhair Eriche was vsit, To dwell had I dellyte.
1547. Boorde, Introd. Knowl., i. (1870), 120. In England is vsed all maner of languages and speches of alyens in diuers Cities. Ibid., xxxv. 210. Where Laten is most vsed.
1628. Milton, Vac. Exerc., 8. Hail native Language,… Here I salute thee and thy pardon ask, That now I use thee in my latter task.
1668. Wilkins, Real Char., 3. The Language used in Denmark.
1819. Scott, Ivanhoe, ii. The Prior … using the lingua Franca, or mixed language, in which [etc.]. Ibid. (1821), Kenilw., xxxvi. Can falsehood use thus boldly the language of truth.
1888. Jessopp, Visit. Norwich, p. xxxix. [He] should be able to use Latin, not merely to understand it.
b. To employ or give utterance to (words, phrases, etc.); to say, utter.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, lxxiii. 23. Na wise man oysis gret athis, in þe whilke werid men vpbraydis god of his mercy.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., II. pr. ii. (1868), 33. I wolde plete wiþ þee a fewe þinges, vsynge þe wordes of fortune.
a. 1425. Cursor M., 12050 (Trin.). Teche him … Blessyng to vse & not to ban.
1484. Caxton, Fables of Æsop, I. Pref., Esope … techeth also to be humble and for to vse wordes.
a. 1500. in Ratis Raving, etc., 98. Oys fare langage in alkyne thinge.
1539. Bible (Great), Ecclus. xxiii. 11. A man yt vseth moch swearing.
1596. Harington, Metam. Ajax (1814), 24. [When] such phrases … are used to ribaldry.
1621. Bp. Mountagu, Diatribæ, 14. Euery where, either directly, or indirectly, you doe, to use your owne phrase, Cry downe that right.
1655. Stanley, Hist. Philos., I. (1687), 27/2. Using speeches, the effect whereof, he afterwards thus exprest in Verse.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Viscera, This Word is also frequently used singularly, Viscus, to express some particular part of the Entrails.
1729. T. Innes, Crit. Essay (1879), 295. Nennius … uses promiscuously the names of Scythæ and Scoti for the same people.
1793. Martyn, Lang. Bot., s.v. Leaflets, For the same reason, if we use leaf, we must not use foliole.
1820. Shelley, Orpheus, 100. Nature must lend me words ne’er used before.
1838. Lytton, Leila, II. i. Thou usest plain language, my friend.
1875. Jevons, Money (1878), 250. We use a great many words with a total disregard of logical precision.
16. To resort to (a place) frequently or habitually; to frequent or haunt; also, to dwell in. Now rare.
c. 1400. Maundev. (1839), xxxi. 307. Ȝif the Merchauntes useden als moche that Contre as thei don Cathay.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 512/2. Vsyn, or hawntyn, frequento.
1528. in Leadam, Star Chamber Cases (Selden), II. 175. All iiij [have] eusyd & occupyd the market and inhaunsyd the pryse of grayne.
1535. Coverdale, Jer. ii. 23. Like a wilde Asse, that vseth the wildernesse.
1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., III. ii. 231. [I am] Not of this Countrie, though my chance is now To vse it for my time.
1611. in B. Camm, Benedictine Martyr in Eng. (1897), 268. The other was Mr. Somers, alias Wilson, who used London altogether.
1658. Cokaine, Obstinate Lady, I. i. Poems (1874), 55. Use the Tavern once or twice a day.
1686. trans. Chardin’s Coronat. Solyman, 143. Forly large Barques, such as use the Caspian Sea.
1708. Lond. Gaz., No. 4427/16. He useth the Queen’s-head Ale-house.
1725. Sloane, Jamaica, II. 320. It uses more the low sandy inland parts than the plovers, snipes, &c.
1848. Thackeray, Van. Fair, xxxviii. He did not fail to tell everybody who ‘used the room.’
1867. Cornh. Mag., April, 449. Doubtless also in his sojourn here … he used this house, as our expressive phrase has it.
1884. Good Words, June, 399/2. Your ordinary thief … may … lord it in the public-houses he ‘uses.’
b. To use the sea († seas), to practise the calling of a sailor. Cf. FOLLOW v. 9.
a. 1634. Isaacson, Andrewes, in Fuller, Abel Rediv. (1867), II. 156. His father, having most part of his life used the seas.
1681. R. Knox, Hist. Ceylon, 124. These many years … have I used the seas.
1728. Morgan, Algiers, II. ii. 223. Rais was then about thirty, and had used the Sea full ten years.
1773. Life N. Frowde, 24. His Name was George White,… who had used the Seas from my own Age.
1791. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 314. John … continued for some time to use the sea.
1894. Pall Mall Mag., Sept., 4. He had used the sea for above thirty years, had built, owned and commanded ships.
† c. To associate with (a person). Obs.–1
1594. in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ., V. 262. At my being there I could not heare or perceyue he used any Inglishman much.
17. a. To treat or deal with (a person or thing) in a specified manner; to behave or act towards (another) in a particular way.
In frequent use from c. 1550 to c. 1730.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, g v. They wold use her of an enorme and ouer foule faytte.
1542. Udall, Erasm. Apoph., 17. Many noble menne vsen their frendes none other wyse.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 804. Then he that tolde him the tale vsed him with good wordes.
1590. Marlowe, Edw. II., V. ii. Vse Edmund friendly, as if all were well.
1639. in Verney Mem. (1907), I. 106. My Collonel useth me with very greate courtesy.
1680. Otway, Orphan, II. iv. But use me gently like a loving Brother.
1709. Steele, Tatler, No. 11, ¶ 4. I am used by some people as if Isaac Bickerstaff … was no Body.
1756. C. Smart, trans. Hor., Sat., II. ii. When years shall approach, and feeble age require to be used more tenderly.
1768. Sterne, Sent. Journ., Translation. ’Tis … using him worse than a German.
1859. Tennyson, Merlin & V., 534. So used as I, My daily wonder is, I love at all.
1863. Kinglake, Crimea, I. 311. They won France. They used her hard.
1888. ‘J. S. Winter,’ Bootle’s Childr., iv. I didn’t use poor Bill any too well.
b. refl. To conduct or comport (oneself). † Also, to resort or repair (cf. sense 22).
Freq. from c. 1530 to c. 1590.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, XI. 1031. Yhe haiff so lang her oysyt yow allane, Quhill witt tharoff is in till Ingland gane.
1496–7. 12 Hen. VII., c. 6 § 1. Every persone frely to use theym self to his moost avauntage, without exaccion.
1513. Bradshaw, St. Werburge, I. 2354. He folowed saynt Werburge counsell, Vsynge hym after her swete ghostly doctryne.
1547. Boorde, Brev. Health, ccvii. Thus vsynge my selfe, I thanke God I dyd make my selfe whole.
1590. Southampton Court Leet Rec. (1906), II. 285. Being called before vs, [they] vsed themselves contemtuously.
1621. Lady M. Wroth, Urania, 307. Who comming to my fathers house, vsed himselfe … insolently.
a. 1648. Ld. Herbert, Hen. VIII. (1683), 295. He used himself more like a Fellow to your Highness, than like a Subject.
1653. Nissena, 108. Excusing himself for that he had not before used himself with such obsequiousness towards them as he ought.
1860. Miss Yonge, Hopes & Fears, I. 387. Her eyes were on the alert to judge how he had been using himself in the last half-year.
IV. 18. To make (a person, etc.) familiar or accustomed by habit or practice; to habituate, accustom; to inure. Freq. const. † in or with (something).
In later use Sc., and chiefly in pa. pple.; cf. c below.
c. 1305. St. Edmund Conf., 78, in E. E. P. (1862), 73. In penance he was so wel yused & þeron ȝung ibroȝt Þat … hit ne greuede him riȝt noȝt.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, cxviii. 7. It is profetabil till me, þat þou oysid me in sere temptaciouns.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VI. 289. He þat was idel … meoveþ hym to batayle þat is i-used in dedes of armes.
c. 1425. Eng. Conq. Ireland, 22. Throgh kynd of Fraunce, we ben vsed in wepene.
1489. Caxton, Faytes of A., I. viii. B ij b. To see his men vsed & wel taught in the said art and fait of armes.
a. 1500. Ratis Raving, 32. With wordis of lawte vs thi twnge.
c. 1586. C’tess Pembroke, Ps. I.XXVII. xii. A path whereon thy crew As shepherds use their sheep.
1587. Holinshed, Chron. (ed. 2), II. Hist. Scotl., 391. This man had accesse unto the queene to plaie at cards, and to use hir with other courtlie pastimes.
1606. Chapman, Gentl. Usher, V. ii. Using thy husband in those vertuous gifts For which thou first didst choose him.
1711. Countrey-Man’s Lett. Curat., 85. Many … had been used with the English Liturgie … at London.
1815. Scott, Guy M., lv. The like o’ them’s used wi’ graves and ghaists.
a. 1826. in Child, Ball., IV. 98/1. She took my gay lord frae my side, And used him in her company.
1835. D. Webster, Orig. Sc. Rhymes, 115. I had little been used wi’ sic resolute foes.
refl. 1534. in Leadam, Star Chamber Cases (Selden), II. 211. Compleynaunt hathe vseyd hymselfe in exercysyng the fete of bakyng.
1560. Becon, New Catech., Wks. 1564, I. 320. This verye selfe same bodye … whiche vseth it selfe here with the soule in all maner of good workes.
b. Freq. with to (and sb. or inf.).
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pars. P., ¶ 245. For to vsen a man to doon goode werkes.
1535. Coverdale, Ecclus. xxiii. 13. Vse not thy mouth to vnhonest and fylthye talkynge.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 231 b. That they do eschew all … idle talke, and vse their familie to do lykewyse.
1585. T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., IV. i. 114 b. [Hunting being] an argument & occasion to vse men to ryse betimes.
c. 1643. Ld. Herbert, Autobiog. (1824), 70. You shall do well also to use your Horse to Swimming.
1688. Shadwell, Sqr. Alsatia, II. i. Some moderate skill in it will use a man to reason closely.
1740. Chesterf., Lett., Oct. To use your ear a little to English verse.
1769. Goldsm., Hist. Rome (1786), I. 402. Having used his body much to antidotes, the poison had but little effect.
1783. Justamond, trans. Raynal’s Hist. Indies, VII. 91. It is not … surprising that the seal … should use her little ones to live under water.
1814. Scott, Wav., liv. He wanted to use her by degrees to live without meat.
1873–. in dialect use (Eng. Dial. Dict.).
1877. Mrs. Lear, trans. Fenelon’s Spiritual Lett., 240. So as to wean you like a child, and use you to dry bread instead of milk.
refl. c. 1305. St. Edmund Conf., 44, in E. E. P. (1862), 72. So longe hi hem vsede þerto.
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour (1868), 9. For suche lyff as ye wille contynue, use you to in youre youthe.
a. 1568. Ascham, Scholem., II. (Arb.), 88. For translating, vse you your selfe … to chose out some Epistle … of Tullie.
a. 1568. in Bannatyne MS. (Hunter. Cl.), 195. In yowtheid vse the to temprance.
1615. trans. De Monfart’s Surv. E. Indies, 39. They … can no more forbeare it, than those who haue us’d themselues to Tobacco.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., I. 63. Use thyself betimes to hear and grant our Pray’rs.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, I. (Globe), 211. Using himself to them [sc. garments], at length he took to them very well.
1753. L. M., Accompl. Woman, II. 213. We may use ourselves to fear as well as to be bold.
a. 1818. M. G. Lewis, Jrnl. W. Ind. (1834), 296. Mithridates used himself to poisons.
a. 1850. Keble, Lett. (1870), 104. Using themselves when they wake in the night to rise and say the fifty-first Psalm.
c. More usu. in pa. pple. (Const. to or † of.)
c. 1480. Henryson, Fables, Two Mice, 58. To tender meit my stomok is ay vsit.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, e iv b. So were the seuen Cytees brenned … by cause that they were moche vsed of the fylthe and ordure of lechery.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 94 b. Wherby man … be accustomed & vsed to chose … ye thynge that is of lesse goodnes.
1555. Eden, Decades, I. s. (Arb.), 104. Such as haue byn vsed to owr breade made of wheate.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 80. It is requisite that they bee alwaie vsed to hand.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett. (1678), 48. This City was us’d to fetch all those Spices.
1682. Lister, Godartius Of Insects, 54. The Catterpillar … as soon as it perceives any thing it is not us’t to.
1720. Mandeville, Free Thoughts (1729), 276. St. Poinct … was used to ask, whether the farce … was ready to be acted.
1796. Mme. D’Arblay, Camilla, IV. 329. I’m not used to be used in this manner!
1833. Disraeli, Cont. Fleming, VI. vi. The friar smiled, and was evidently used to this raillery.
1850. Thackeray, Pendennis, li. A person … used to making sacrifices.
1888. ‘J. S. Winter,’ Bootle’s Childr., xi. Which … had stirred Terry’s heart just as it had been used to stir it years and years ago.
V. intr. 19. To do a thing customarily; to be in the habit of so acting or doing; to be wont to do. (Chiefly in clauses introduced by as, and now only literary.) a. Of persons.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 434. And so shulde perish makyng of prests and doyng of sacraments, as holy Chirche usiþ.
c. 1400. Maundev. (1839), v. 40. Clothed in … the Sarazines guyse, and as the Sarazines usen.
1473. Reg. Cupar Abbey, I. 182. Tha sal tak iijxx of fuderis of petis quhar thai oysit befor.
1533. in Leadam, Star Chamber Cases (Selden), II. 205. The boucher … grevyd shall signifie … the name … of any such person … that so vsith.
1596. Spenser, State Irel., Wks. (Globe), 645/1. To manure and husband it as good farmors use.
1616. J. Lane, Contn. Sqr.’s T., X. 388. This familiar Dove twixt yond twoe kinges went boldlie to and fro, as vsen frendes.
1663. Butler, Hud., I. i. 632. We should, as learned Poets use, Invoke the Assistance of some Muse.
1720. Ozell, Vertot’s Rom. Rep. (1740), II. XII. 237. In the sight of all the Citizens, as the Censors use, when they [etc.].
1748. Earthquake Peru, ii. 161. To kill animals in the same Manner as they always had used.
1791. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 267. We had got up our stones … as we had used from the beginning.
1816. Wordsw., ‘A little onward,’ 30. To push forth His arms, as swimmers use, and plunge … into the ‘abrupt abyss.’
1852. T. L. Peacock, Misc., Wks. 1875, III. 364. First, as the truly pious always use, Approach with prayer.
1875. Browning, Aristoph. Apol., 365. Die at good old age as grand men use.
† b. Of things. Obs. rare.
1656. trans. T. White’s Peripat. Inst., 152. It varies its figure with every motion as fire uses.
1676. Phil. Trans., XI. 773. In the same manner as the trunk of the lymphaticks uses.
20. With to and inf.: To be accustomed or wont to do something.
In very frequent use from c. 1400, but now only in pa. t. used to.
α. 1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 691. For ryche men vse comunly Sweryn [v.r. to swere] grete oþys grysly. Ibid., 2661.
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W., 787, Thisbe. For olde payenys that Idolys heryed Vsedyn tho in feldys to ben beryed. Ibid. (c. 1386), Reeve’s T., 20. A theef he was,… a sly, and vsaunt [v.r. usand] for to stele.
c. 1440. Gesta Rom., v. 12. His modir vsith euery day gretly to sorowe.
1464. Rolls of Parlt., V. 563/2. Dyvers persones have gretely used to shippe woll … oute of this Reame.
1542. Udall, Erasm. Apoph., 43. Such as the beggerye philosophiers … usen to weare.
1550. Southampton Court Leet Rec. (1905), I. 14. Thomas Casberd hathe vsid to sett his carte in the streate.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., V. viii. 17. Her name Mercilla most men vse to call.
1612. Webster, White Devil, I. ii. 202. Your silke-worme useth to fast every third day.
1625. J. King, David’s Strait, 15. As we vse to maligne a Bayliue.
1670. Milton, Hist. Eng., VI. 304. The English then useing to let grow on their upper-lip large Mustachio’s.
1728. Gay, Begg. Op., II. iv. You are not so fond of me, Jenny, as you use [sic] to be.
1767. Woman of Fashion, II. 26. How did we all use to admire her!
1837. Lockhart, Scott, I. iv. 122. He used to get all the copies of these ballads he could.
1884. W. C. Smith, Kildrostan, 53. You used to be a leal, true-hearted girl.
Comb. 1883. J. W. Riley, Poems Here at Home (1893), 21. There lies a land, long lost to me, The land of Used-to-be.
β. c. 1375. Lay Folks Mass-Bk. (MS. B), 401. A litel belle men oyse to ryng.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., I. 1265. Tebany þai oysse to calle In to Grece þe Thebis all.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, V. 760. Now thow sall feyll how I oys to lat blude.
b. Predicated of things.
In frequent use from c. 1620 to c. 1675.
1445. in Anglia, XXVIII. 267. Al goddesses … Haue ioyned her dauncys within thi breste, which vsid hem to receive.
1547. Homilies, I. Salvation, III. ¶ 7. Therfore scripture vseth to saie, that faithe without woorkes dooth iustifie.
1586. J. Chilton, in Hakluyt, Voy. (1589), 588. Where the ships vse to ride, made fast to ye said wal, with their cables.
1609. Holland, Amm. Marcell., 333. What time folkes minds … use to be dull and dead.
1662. Stillingfl., Orig. Sacræ, I. i. § 6. Jewels do not use to lie upon the surface of the earth.
1684. Contempl. St. Man, II. ix. (1699), 231. Temporal Felicity uses often to end in Eternal Misery.
1726. Leoni, Designs, 5 b. In that Season of the Year when the Water uses to be lowest.
1778. Hist. Eliza Warwick, I. 260. Alas! his absence … did not use thus to affect me!
1810. Scott, Lady L., I. xxi. Yet seemed that tone … Less used to sue than to command.
1839. Fr. A. Kemble, Resid. in Georgia (1863), 245. It is now … the rule, though it used not to be so formerly.
1884. F. M. Crawford, Rom. Singer, I. 35. They used to be only a baiocco apiece.
† c. In passive construction. Obs.
1523. Fitzherb., Husb., § 132. If a tree be heeded, and vsed to be lopped and cropped.
1607. Shaks., Cor., III. iii. 25. He hath bene vs’d Euer to conquer.
a. 1648. Ld. Herbert, Hen. VIII. (1683), 399. As concerning Annates used to be paid.
a. 1706. Evelyn, Hist. Relig. (1850), I. 402. Nor were they used of old to be read in churches.
1737. Waterland, Eucharist, 393. Prayer was then used to be offered up for that Purpose.
1788. London Mag., 399. The Tuilleries, where boats were used to be found.
21. † a. To act, conduct oneself or one’s affairs, in a particular or specified manner. Obs. rare.
a. 1325. Prose Psalter, lxxvi. 12. Y shal þenchen in alle þyne werkes, and y shal vse [L. exercebor] in alle þy fundynges.
c. 1375. Cursor M., 24931 (Fairf.). Bot now men vsis on oþer wise, Þer is mare of hir seruise.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. xv. 15. Kyng Edward … and ye quene his mother … vsed moche after ye counsell of syr Thomas Wage.
1579. Tomson, Calvin’s Serm. Tim., 181/1. And therfore we haue to vse of our selues modestly.
b. Sc. To accustom oneself, become accustomed or habituated, get used, to something.
1836. Carlyle, Lett., in Atlantic Morthly, Sept. (1898), 295/1. ‘You will use, you will use,’ and get hefted to the place, as all creatures do.
1842. Mrs. Carlyle, Lett. (1883), I. 158. If I do not use to the noise.
1894. Crockett, Raiders, 284. So soon does one use to the sight.
22. To go frequently, to resort or repair customarily, to a place or person; to frequent or haunt a place. Freq. with advs. (as thither, where), or with preps. (esp. in earlier use with to). Latterly dial. (Eng. Dial. Dict., s.v.) and U.S.
(a) c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, I. 209. Into the toun he wsyt everilk day. Ibid., II. 290. He wsyt offt to that religious place.
1590. in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ., V. 181. [They] be good witnesses … howe many severall persons have vsed to the saienge of masses.
1599. Sir R. Wrothe, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. II. III. 181. Sertaine lewde fellowes … doe frequente and use aboute Layton heath.
1602. Breton, Mother’s Blessing, Wks. (Grosart), I. 6/1. Presumptuous fooles, and irreligious Iewes, Emong the Nobler sort should neuer vse.
a. 1613. Overbury, Characters, Ord. Widdow. Shee uses to cunning women to know how many husbands she shall have.
1653. Holcroft, Procopius, Pers. Wars, II. 51. Then shall you by our Countrey have the conveniencie of using to Roman Seas.
1663. Extr. St. Papers Friends, Ser. II. (1911), 168. When he is in London he vseth frequently at Mr. Lawries house.
1834. J. Hall, Kentucky, II. 40. ‘But you seem acquainted with these woods.’ ‘Yes, I use about here some.’
1884. ‘M. Twain,’ Huckleberry Finn, vi. If he didn’t quit using around there she would make trouble for him.
(b) 1470–85. Malory, Arthur, XVIII. xxii. 765. I am a gentilwoman that vseth here in this forest huntynge.
1592. in J. Morris, Troub. Cath. Forefathers, Ser. II. (1875), 54. Cotton did use thither divers times.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., VI. Prol. ii. Conduct me well in these strange waies, where neuer foote did vse.
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Flash-ken, a House where Thieves use.
1848. Bartlett, Dict. Amer., 372. I can see where the deer used.
1851. Mayhew, Lond. Labour, II. 475/2. The master of the hotel or the gents that uses there.
transf. 1591. Sylvester, Ivry, 370. Even as a Galley, in smooth Sea subdues The tallest Ship that in the Streights doth use.
1637. Milton, Lycidas, 136. Ye valleys low where the milde whispers use, Of shades and wanton winds.
† b. To inhabit, reside, or dwell in or at a place.
a. 1585. Montgomerie, Cherrie & Slae, 97. Musis that vsis At fountaine Helicon.
1610. Fletcher, Faithf. Sheph., III. i. I will give thee for thy food, No Fish that useth in the mud.
1628. May, Virg. Georg., III. 93. Snakes that use within the house for shade, Securely lurk.
1707. Sloane, Jamaica, I. p. xviii. This is known by the places where they [sc. fish] use.
† c. To associate (or cohabit) with a person. Obs.
1382. Wyclif, John iv. 9. Iewis vsen not with Samaritans.
1559. Bercher, Nobylytye Wymen (Roxb.), 141. The daughters of Lot, which vsed carnallye with their ffather.
1566. Sternhold & H., Ps. xxvi. 4. I do not lust to haunt or vse, with men whose deeds are vayne.
† 23. To make use of some thing. Obs.
c. 1500. Melusine, xx. 110. As long that ye shall vse of feythfulnes.
1542. Udall, Erasm. Apoph., 44. For in the same solemnitees men usen of a custom.
1704. N. N., trans. Boccalini’s Advts. fr. Parnass., II. 17. He us’d of all the Rhetorick he had, to praise that Vice.
† b. Similarly with with. Obs. rare.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 3594. Olyfauntis…, As ilkane vsyd with in ynde vmquile with to fiȝte.
1502. Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W., 1506), IV. xxi. Xvj. He ought iustely to vse with his payssaunce and not in abusynge.
