Noun

(en noun)

An object to be reached; a target; an aim; a goal.

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-07, author= Ed Pilkington

, volume=188, issue=26, page=6, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= ‘Killer robots’ should be banned in advance, UN told , passage=In his submission to the UN, [Christof] Heyns points to the experience of drones. Unmanned aerial vehicles were intended initially only for surveillance, and their use for offensive purposes was prohibited, yet once strategists realised their perceived advantages as a means of carrying out targeted killings, all objections were swept out of the way.}}

A result that is desired; an intention.

The act of intending to do something; resolution; determination.

* 2013 , Phil McNulty, "[http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23830980]", BBC Sport , 1 September 2013:

United began with more purpose in the early phase of the second half and Liverpool were grateful for Glen Johnson's crucial block from Young's goalbound shot.

* {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=July-August, author= Sarah Glaz

, title= Ode to Prime Numbers , volume=101, issue=4, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Some poems, echoing the purpose of early poetic treatises on scientific principles, attempt to elucidate the mathematical concepts that underlie prime numbers. Others play with primes’ cultural associations. Still others derive their structure from mathematical patterns involving primes.}}

The subject of discourse; the point at issue.

(Spenser)

The reason for which something is done, or the reason it is done in a particular way.

The purpose of turning off the lights overnight is to save energy.

(obsolete) Instance; example.

(rfquotek, L'Estrange)

Noun

(en noun)

The act of using.

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-07, author= Ed Pilkington

, volume=188, issue=26, page=6, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= ‘Killer robots’ should be banned in advance, UN told , passage=In his submission to the UN, [Christof] Heyns points to the experience of drones. Unmanned aerial vehicles were intended initially only for surveillance, and their use for offensive purposes was prohibited, yet once strategists realised their perceived advantages as a means of carrying out targeted killings, all objections were swept out of the way.}}

Usefulness, benefit.

* Milton

God made two great lights, great for their use / To man.

* Alexander Pope

'Tis use alone that sanctifies expense.

A function; a purpose for which something may be employed.

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-26, author=(Leo Hickman)

, volume=189, issue=7, page=26, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= How algorithms rule the world , passage=The use of algorithms in policing is one example of their increasing influence on our lives. And, as their ubiquity spreads, so too does the debate around whether we should allow ourselves to become so reliant on them – and who, if anyone, is policing their use.}}

Occasion or need to employ; necessity.

I have no further use for these textbooks.

(obsolete, rare) Interest for lent money; premium paid for the use of something; usury.

* 1599 , (William Shakespeare), (Much Ado About Nothing) ,

DON PEDRO. Come, lady, come; you have lost the heart of Signior Benedick.

BEATRICE. Indeed, my lord, he lent it me awhile; and I gave him use for it, a double heart for a single one: [...]

* Jeremy Taylor

Thou art more obliged to pay duty and tribute, use and principal, to him.

(archaic) Continued or repeated practice; usage; habit.

* Spenser

Let later age that noble use envy.

* Shakespeare

How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable, / Seem to me all the uses of this world!

(obsolete) Common occurrence; ordinary experience.

* Shakespeare

O Caesar! these things are beyond all use .

(religion) The special form of ritual adopted for use in any diocese.

the Sarum, or Canterbury, use'''; the Hereford '''use'''; the York '''use'''; the Roman '''use ; etc.

* Book of Common Prayer

From henceforth all the whole realm shall have but one use .

(forging) A slab of iron welded to the side of a forging, such as a shaft, near the end, and afterward drawn down, by hammering, so as to lengthen the forging.