'Shifting use' definitions:

Definition of 'Shifting use'

From: GCIDE
  • Use \Use\, n. [OE. us use, usage, L. usus, from uti, p. p. usus, to use. See Use, v. t.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. The act of employing anything, or of applying it to one's service; the state of being so employed or applied; application; employment; conversion to some purpose; as, the use of a pen in writing; his machines are in general use. [1913 Webster]
  • Books can never teach the use of books. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
  • This Davy serves you for good uses. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • When he framed All things to man's delightful use. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Occasion or need to employ; necessity; as, to have no further use for a book. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Yielding of service; advantage derived; capability of being used; usefulness; utility. [1913 Webster]
  • God made two great lights, great for their use To man. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 'T is use alone that sanctifies expense. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Continued or repeated practice; customary employment; usage; custom; manner; habit. [1913 Webster]
  • Let later age that noble use envy. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
  • How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable, Seem to me all the uses of this world! --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Common occurrence; ordinary experience. [R.] [1913 Webster]
  • O Caesar! these things are beyond all use. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. (Eccl.) The special form of ritual adopted for use in any diocese; as, the Sarum, or Canterbury, use; the Hereford use; the York use; the Roman use; etc. [1913 Webster]
  • From henceforth all the whole realm shall have but one use. --Pref. to Book of Common Prayer. [1913 Webster]
  • 7. The premium paid for the possession and employment of borrowed money; interest; usury. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • Thou art more obliged to pay duty and tribute, use and principal, to him. --Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster]
  • 8. [In this sense probably a corruption of OF. oes, fr. L. opus need, business, employment, work. Cf. Operate.] (Law) The benefit or profit of lands and tenements. Use imports a trust and confidence reposed in a man for the holding of lands. He to whose use or benefit the trust is intended shall enjoy the profits. An estate is granted and limited to A for the use of B. [1913 Webster]
  • 9. (Forging) A stab of iron welded to the side of a forging, as a shaft, near the end, and afterward drawn down, by hammering, so as to lengthen the forging. [1913 Webster]
  • Contingent use, or Springing use (Law), a use to come into operation on a future uncertain event.
  • In use. (a) In employment; in customary practice observance. (b) In heat; -- said especially of mares. --J. H. Walsh.
  • Of no use, useless; of no advantage.
  • Of use, useful; of advantage; profitable.
  • Out of use, not in employment.
  • Resulting use (Law), a use, which, being limited by the deed, expires or can not vest, and results or returns to him who raised it, after such expiration.
  • Secondary use, or Shifting use, a use which, though executed, may change from one to another by circumstances. --Blackstone.
  • Statute of uses (Eng. Law), the stat. 27 Henry VIII., cap.
  • 10, which transfers uses into possession, or which unites the use and possession.
  • To make use of, To put to use, to employ; to derive service from; to use. [1913 Webster]