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   use

   verb

   • 1. take, hold, or deploy (something) as a means of accomplishing or achieving something; employ: "she used her key to open the front door" Similar utilizemake use ofavail oneself ofemployworkoperatewieldplyapplymanoeuvremanipulateput to useput into servicefind a use forresort toexerciseemployapplyexertbring into playpractiseimplementdraw on
   • ▪ treat (someone) in a particular way: "use your troops well and they will not let you down" Similar managehandletreatbehave towardsact towardsconduct oneself towardsdeal with
   • ▪ exploit (a person or situation) for one's own advantage: "I couldn't help feeling that she was using me" Similar take advantage ofexploitmake use ofmanipulatetake liberties withcapitalize onprofit fromtrade onmilkimpose onabusemisusemistreatmaltreattreat lightlytrifle withplay withinformal:cash in onbleedwalk all overplay someone for a sucker
   • ▪ apply (a name or title) to oneself: "she still used her maiden name professionally"
   • ▪ take (an illegal drug): "they were using heroin daily"
   • 2. take or consume (an amount) from a limited supply: "we have used all the available funds" Similar consumeget throughgo throughexhaustdepleteexpendspendwastefritter awaysquanderdissipate
   • 3. describing an action or situation that was done repeatedly or existed for a period in the past: "this road used to be a dirt track" Similar exerciseemployapplyexertbring into playpractiseimplementdraw on
   • 4. be or become familiar with (someone or something) through experience: "she was used to getting what she wanted"
   • 5. one would like or benefit from: informal "I could use another cup of coffee"

   noun

   • 1. the action of using something or the state of being used for a purpose: "modern trains are now in use" Similar utilizationapplicationusageemploymentoperationmanipulationmanoeuvringexploitationmanipulationabusemisusemistreatmentmaltreatment
   • ▪ the ability or power to exercise or manipulate one's mind or body: "the horse lost the use of his hind legs"
   • ▪ a purpose for or way in which something can be used: "the herb has various culinary uses" Similar neednecessitycalldemandoccasionpurposereasoncausegroundsjustificationrequirementexcuse
   • 2. the value or advantage of something: "what's the use of crying?" Similar usefulnessadvantagebenefitserviceutilityhelpgoodgainavailprofitvalueworthpointobjectmotiveaimgoalpurposesensereason
   • ▪ the benefit or profit of lands, especially lands that are in the possession of another who holds them solely for the beneficiary. historical
   • 3. the habitual consumption of a drug: "theft and dealing financed their heroin use"
   • 4. the characteristic ritual and liturgy of a Christian Church or diocese.

   Word Origin Middle English: the noun from Old French us, from Latin usus, from uti ‘to use’; the verb from Old French user, based on Latin uti.

   Scrabble Points: 3

   • U

     1

   • S

     1

   • E

     1

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