user

English

/ˈjuːzə/, /ˈjuzɚ/

noun
Definitions
  • One who uses or makes use of something, a consumer/client or an express or implied licensee (free user) or a trespasser.
  • A person who uses drugs, especially illegal drugs.
  • (computing) A person who uses a computer or a computing network, especially a person who has received a user account.
  • (pejorative) An exploiter, an abuser (a person who "uses" people, that is treats and regards people unfairly, selfishly and/or unethically).
  • (legal) (dated) In land law, meaning either 1. or 2. above or use. Usually in singular form to mean use wherever there is assiduous re-use of precedents and aloof textbooks verbatim. Modern law, guarded against ambiguity, widely disfavors the term.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English usere affix from English use.

Origin

English

use

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms