'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]