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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Usage


U'SAGE, n s as z. [See Use.]

1. Treatment; an action or series of actions performed by one person towards another, or which directly affect him; as good usage; ill usage; hard usage Gentle usage will often effect what harsh usage will not. The elephant may be governed by mild usage

2. Use, or long continued use; custom; practice. Uninterrupted usage for a long time, or immemorial usage constitutes prescription. Custom is a local usage; prescription is a personal usage In language, usage is the foundation of all rules.

Of things once received and confirmed by use, long usage is a law sufficient.

3. Manners; behavior. obsolete